John 11:1-44 | What's the lesson for me today?

Going a slightly different direction from what I have written thus far, I want to focus on the shortest passage in the Bible.

Jesus wept.
-John 11:35

So many that I have heard talk about this have landed on how this demonstrates Jesus' humanity. His friend has died and He is mourning that. Or, all of His friends are mourning so He mourns with them. The fact is, Jesus knew what He was going to do. He had basically told the disciples before they came here. Yet still He wept.

I am actually convinced that the conversation about how this proves Jesus' humanity has deterred us from a very important reality that the Lord sees our mourning, our hurting, our weeping, and our pain and cares to do something about it. I do not think this shows Jesus' humanity. The human who knew they were about to raise the dead would not weep. This shows Jesus' divinity. Those who are near and dear to Him are mourning the result of sin in this world - the very thing Jesus came to conquer. His enemy, death, has taken hold of a friend of His. As Jesus sees them, He is moved in His spirit and brings forth life.

It is easy for us to dismiss the Lord as angry or distant. And for many of us, that is the experience we think we have. The enemy so gladly keeps us in that place. Can you imagine how your prayers might change or how your lifestyle might reflect truly believing that there is a God who sees you and cares about you? He is not just eager to restrict you and restrain you. He knows what is best for you and still has the love and grace for you to choose whether you obey or not.

Whatever the circumstances may be that surround you today, I think it is incredibly important to remember that we serve a loving God. He sees your wrestle. He sees your war. Coming before Him would be coming before a compassionate Father who is ready to comfort. Lay yourself before Him today.

What lesson are you taking today?