TOGETHER in Sorrow

Everyone knows this passage, but do we understand the significance of this moment in Jesus’ life? Jesus was weeping over the circumstances of Lazarus’ death. In this particular verse, weeping is derived from the Greek word “dakruo” meaning to weep silently, to shed tears.

“Jesus’ tears were generated both by His love for Lazarus, and by His grief over the deadly and incessant effects of sin in a fallen world. [This verse] emphasizes Jesus’ humanity; He was truly ‘a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ (Isa. 53:3). But while the Jews were correct in seeing Jesus’ sorrow as evidence that He loved Lazarus, they were wrong to think that His tears reflected the same hopeless despair that they felt.” 1

Jesus’ sorrow came from His love of people, His care for their souls and His understanding of the circumstances versus the understanding of the people.

Are you in a season of sorrow; of lamenting a loss, an opportunity not taken or news of illness? Whatever your sorrow clings to right now, know that Jesus understands. He laments with you and wants you to reach out to Him in your sorrow.

God desires to commune with us in our grief, in our pain. He wants to pull us in close and hold us tight. He will weep with us. Right now cry out to God.

What was true in the light
Is still true in the dark
You’re good and You’re kind
And You care for this heart
Weep With Me by Rend Collective

PERSONAL CHALLENGE
Turn my lament into a love song. Write down, or speak out, your sorrows, the laments of today. After a few moments of silence, turn each lament into praise or a word of thanks to God. For instance, if you are angry about a friend’s illness, thank God for the opportunity your friend will have to share their story with others.

This devotional was written for work, included in a 20 Day TOGETHER Challenge leading up to our women’s retreat. Each day has been about a different topic we should be working through, talking about and encouraging each other through TOGETHER.

• Listen to Weep with Me by Rend Collective
• Source: 1 John MacArthur, Grace to You, Why Does Jesus Weep? Oct 30, 2018 (https://www.gty.org/library/bibleqnas-library/QA0057/why-did-jesus-weep)