Jesus wept. (John 11:35 ESV)
The shortest verse in the Bible, yet perhaps the most poignant.
To think that the God who made the universe, rules over it, and has complete control over every aspect of it would still feel such emotion is mind-blowing. Of the many counter-intuitive things in the Bible, this has to be in the top 5.
Such a statement bears repeating. Jesus wept.
Is it because this verse is so short that we overlook it (and thus overlook the fact that the Lord does take a personal, emotional interest in what we do and what happens to us)? Is this why we ignore the fact that Jesus really does care about even the mundane things that happen?
Jesus wept.
Have you considered how your actions or inactions might still cause the Savior to weep? Has it ever crossed your mind that every impure thought, every evil deed, and every unrighteous attitude can cause our greatest Friend to either weep or smile?
Jesus wept.
Do you understand that actions have consequences, and sometimes those consequences are a hindered relationship with the only One who truly matters?
Jesus wept.
Do you realize yet that every unnecessary argument, every unwarranted attack, and every impulse you have that does not align squarely with the entire counsel of the Almighty, as revealed in His written word, grieves the Joygiver and hurts the Healer?
Jesus wept.
Oh that we would weep at the things that make Him weep.
But wait, it doesn't end there.
Do you know that rather than pain, you can cause our Friend joy??
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7 ESV)
Did you know that by repenting, literally by changing your mind about things and turning your life's direction to follow Christ you too can know this joy?
How does this work, you ask?? The Apostle Paul wrote:
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
Wanna know what makes Jesus happy? Renewing your mind, walking away from the things of this world, and working to understand God's will, i.e. what is "good and acceptable and perfect."
Have you repented? Have you given your life to Jesus?
If not, Jesus weeps.
A very complex subject. I don't think we can fully grasp the mind of God concerning the depths of His grief. If we could, it might be overwhelming to us.
ReplyDeleteI agree that our human minds could never grasp the depth of God's grief, but the amazing thing is that he feels any grief over us at all. To paraphrase that great theologian Humphrey Bogart, our problems shouldn't "amount to a hill of beans" to God, yet He still feels for us so deeply that even knowing the ultimate outcome (His plan to raise Lazarus), Jesus still could weep at his death.
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