Day 7
“He Weeps”
“Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him.”
John 11:35-36
The shortest verse in the Bible says a whole lot more than you’d think two words could say. Read the whole story and you find more. Jesus was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” He was “deeply moved within.”
What does it say about someone when they weep, deeply moved, because of the death of a friend, and the anguish of his loved ones? It says that Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters. It says he felt their pain and heartbreak.
In that one moment, we get a glimpse of a God who cries. It is not the crying of anger and rage. It is also not the crying of frustration over people who just won’t cooperate. No, these are the tears of compassion and love. They are the tears of the God-Man, Jesus Christ, as He experiences the separation of death and decay of body by his friend, Lazarus. He cries because Lazarus is gone, and because His sisters have a void in their hearts. He weeps over the human condition of sin and the resulting death.
But He does not only weep. He also prays. He asks the Father to give Lazarus new life, and of course, God does just that. Lazarus comes out of the grave alive. Can you imagine the pandemonium that broke out over a man dead four days and now alive?
Great things happen when we weep. Greater things happen when we pray.
Who do we weep over? Who do we pray for?
Part of following Jesus and serving Him is this part of weeping and praying. To know that our friends, co-workers and family will one day face death and stand before a Holy God is enough to make us “be moved in spirit and troubled.” It should be enough to make us weep for them.
And it must be enough to make us pray for them. In this week of prayer, will you commit yourself to praying for those God has put in your life like never before?
Years ago, a brother of my friend was lost and totally out of touch spiritually. His marriage was coming apart and he was dealing with deep depression. This friend wept for his brother and encouraged me to join in prayer for his salvation. In a few short weeks, in a church service, I watched this man make a decision for Christ. In my mind, the connection between our praying with tears and his decision for Christ were intertwined. God had answered.
Who has God led to you to be moved by, to be concerned about and to pray for? Are you asking God to prepare their hearts, and to open their spiritual eyes? Are you building a relationship to them so that God can use you as a channel of His love?
As you pray, listen for God to show you what to do next. Expect Him to do great things!
Lord, I want you to give me the capacity for compassion. Let me be sensitive enough to weep over those who are in spiritual darkness. As I pray for those you have given me, I ask you to bring them salvation and forgiveness. Give them the gift of eternal life.
Be sure to check out the website we set up for Easter promotion. Send a link to a friend!
Comments