Jesus Wept

Last night God deeply encouraged me with a devotional by Michael Horton in the book "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go".  Horton discusses John Chapter 11 and the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and the profound grief that overtook all parties involved. I in no way equate losing our court date to the profound loss of losing a loved one. However, there are many truths from this story that we as God’s children can cling to in the midst of any grief and loss we may be experiencing. Here are a few things we can be encouraged by in this story.


• Martha lets it rip. She poured out her frustration to the Lord and did not hide behind her grief and aggravation. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jn 11:21-22. How beautifully honest Martha was! She shows such unfailing trust in Christ while simultaneously crying out to Him in frustration. She knows that Christ can do anything. And she pours all her agony at His feet in honesty and trust.



Last Saturday morning Justin and I were eating cranberry pancakes, singing out loud to music turned way up, and packing our bags for Ethiopia. Then we got the call declaring to us that our court date was cancelled and they had no idea when it would be rescheduled. Grief. Tears. Frustration. We spent the afternoon contacting family and friends and trying to cancel plane tickets, hotel reservations, and travel plans. I’m so thankful for John Chapter 11 as I see Martha’s response to her grief. I don’t have to be fake and say “everything’s hunky doory!” because it’s NOT. We are saddened because we will NOT be holding our babies we have so long awaited for next week. And another day is passing where Asher and Hosanna are falling asleep in a crowded orphanage without a mommy and daddy to sing them lullabies at night.  I’m so encouraged by Martha’s response to know we can simultaneously grieve and trust Christ with all of our sorrows.

• Mary lets it rip too. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jn 11:32. Oh Mary thank you for reminding me I can let it rip too. Here’s what Horton writes about Mary’s response to Lazarus’ death:

“Mary is not to be blamed here, but to be respected for having brought her doubts as well as her faith to the Savior. Living in denial of tragedy, too many Christians live schizophrenic spiritual lives: outwardly smiling and brimming with trust and joy, but inwardly filled with doubts and anger. They often do not know where to turn, but Mary, like Job and the psalmist, says, ‘To God, of course.’ Bring him your doubts, frustration, and even anger. He can handle it. Remember the cross and God-forsakenness of the Beloved: God, too, knows how to sing the blues.”


• Jesus lets it rip… in tears. “Jesus wept” Jn 11:35. In full emotion and grief, even though He KNEW He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, was “deeply moved” (Jn 11:38). Jesus himself was overtaken by grief; the Son of God cried at the loss of His friend. I am deeply encouraged in our journey to know that in our frustration and loss of the ability to see our kids next week Christ too is weeping with us. Christ, who defeated death and is now at the right hand of God interceding for us weeps WITH us. He is fully acquainted with sorrow and we can approach Him boldly! Our tears can come before Him in sheer honesty and trust knowing that the Man who defeated our last enemy- death and the grave- IS working all of our frustrating trials, sorrows, and losses for the good of His children. Praise. The Lord.

“There are times when God asks nothing of his children except silence, patience, and tears.”

– Charles Seymour Robinson