Jesus Still Weeps
By Jana Wilson
“Jesus Wept"
John 11:35
Two of the most precious words ever written are found in John 11:35, “Jesus wept.” To see our sweet Lord, with His heart breaking, weeping, and mourning over a loved one.
Weeping and mourning go hand-in-hand. They basically mean the same thing; they can either be for the dead, the trials we’re going through, or the troubles we have already endured. Either way, the pain and the suffering is, at times, almost unbearable.
We have all mourned the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a friendship, but what about the loss of innocence, the loss of a job, or the end of a marriage? Weeping and mourning are not just for the departure of a loved one. It can be anything we see as a loss.
Jesus knows this, too. He lost Lazarus, a close friend. He was betrayed by a disciple. His friends deserted Him in His hour of need. His family thought He was nuts, and the high officials wanted Him dead. If this was not enough, He hung on a cross for the world’s sins.
Several months ago this verse became a reality in my life. As I was having my quiet time, I read these words, stumbled on them, tried to move on, but couldn’t. I was so fixed on them. I finally asked God what He was trying to say to me. Jesus whispered these words to my wounded soul. “Every time you wept over that situation, I wept with you.” I knew exactly the situation He meant. He was talking about my lost innocence at the age of 6. I sat there stunned, shocked. I didn’t, couldn’t speak. Tears welled up in my eyes. I didn’t know what to say.
As I went through the day, I thought about what Jesus had said. Every time I mourned over that which was lost, Jesus was right beside me weeping, mourning with me - mourning over not being able to be an innocent child, having my childhood stolen, and making poor choices in my life. The fears, the shame, and the insecurities that have followed me most of my life were now put to rest. Jesus understood. I was not alone.
You are not alone. Hebrews 13:5 says that He, “will never leave us nor forsake us.” He sees what has happened and what is happening. When you are alone and crying, so is Jesus. When you cry yourself to sleep at night, so does Jesus. If you have ever wondered if Jesus weeps over you, I assure you that He does. When you weep, He weeps.
Pray with me: Thank You, thank You for loving me so much that when I cry, You cry, too. Your love for me is unfathomable. Your concern for me has no bounds. You put my shame to rest. You teach me to lay aside my insecurities. I respond with thankfulness and pure love. It’s easy to love in return someone who loves me this much. I love You, Jesus. It’s in Your Name that I pray, Amen.