Prayer
Briefly prepare your heart in silence, and ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sense of anticipation that God is about to speak to you through His Word. Then, before you read, I invite you to pray this simple prayer based on Psalm 103:8 & 11
Lord, You are compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in unfailing love.
As high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is Your love for those who revere You;
Lord, speak to me through Your Word today,
and make me more like You..
Amen.
Reading
Jesus wept.
Jesus, the eternal Son of God, by Whom and through Whom and for Whom all things were created, did not stand aloof, apathetic and removed from human pain.
Jesus wept.
Jesus, Who had already stated clearly to His disciples that Lazarus’ disease would not end in death, did not despise Martha frustration and despair.
Jesus wept.
Jesus, Who had plainly declared that Lazarus was dead, but He was going to “wake him up”, did not condemn Mary’s grief and hopelessness.
Jesus wept.
Jesus, the One Who is the resurrection and the life, and knew exactly what He was about to do.
Jesus wept. Why?
Jesus wept, not for any loss of His own. Not out of despair or heartbreak. He wept from a place of absolute compassion for Martha and Mary and every other genuine mourner. He wept, not because He was weak, but because, in the strength of His love, He was courageous enough to enter into the pain of others. Weeping was not weakness, it was loving, courageous compassion and care.
Will you follow in the footsteps of Jesus and weep with those who weep today? Will you refuse to stand aloof and distant from the pain of others? Will you have the courage to enter into their pain with compassionate care?
Contemplation
Please take time to ponder what Jesus has commanded us. Turn this declaration over and over in your mind. Keep it in mind throughout the day and live in step with Your King, Jesus.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ:
- I will courageously and compassionately enter the pain of others today.
- I will weep with those who weep!
Holy Spirit, please give me Jesus’ heart of gracious and courageous compassion. Make me more like Him, I pray. Amen.
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