Day 149: 1 Chronicles 24-26; John 11:28-44

Perhaps the most personally endearing words about the Man, Christ Jesus, are: "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). The Complete Jewish Bible records: "Yeshua cried," while The Passion Translation expands the recorded scene: "Then tears streamed down Jesus' face." There are no words beyond the greatest encounter with Jesus in which He declares, "Your sins are forgiven!" that draw me into His intimate presence more than these. The two words are made emphatic by the Greek adding a definite article: Jesus himself wept bitterly. I believe that Jesus' deep emotional response was more than a reflection of His great love for His friend. He was weeping over the grief of two devastated sisters, and friends, and a tight-knit community that had lost a leading citizen. He was grieving for the felt hopelessness of a world that had not experienced Resurrection Power (John 11:25-26). He was angry with a holy anger at the fatal power of sin and the irreplaceable void that loved ones leave, sin and death having entered the world at the hand of the enemy of our souls. Jesus knew that His Resurrection Promise would be fulfilled in short order. He gave witness to it. However, I love that Jesus was present in the moment, and in that moment, He grieved alongside those He loved. Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus...for you, for me!

Today, if you are grieving, give yourself permission to do so. You are not alone...Jesus is right there with you, perhaps you feel His tears, His embrace. Today, if you are with someone who is grieving, be the presence of Jesus to them. And, know this, it's not so much what you say, but how you feel their loss with them, that will help them through their journey.

P.S. I missed opening the Prayer Journal this morning for a new devotional...I am curious about your feedback.