What is it about the unknown that generates such a strong anxiousness in people? It’s a common thing to hear, “I hate the unknown”. Today in my devotional, I read my favorite passage of scripture, John chapter 11. I have part of this chapter tattooed on my arm. My tattoo reads, “When Jesus saw her weeping He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled… Jesus wept”. Such a small passage that packs a huge punch for me.
1: when Jesus saw her weeping.
Jesus saw Mary. He saw her hurt, her anguish. He took the time to see her, really see her. The depths of her heart… the questions, the fears, the grief, the anger, the tears, the longing for the wrong to be made right, knowing He was the answer but unable to see the full picture.
2: He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled.
What compassion and love Jesus has for people. He knows the travesty of sin. He knows the anguish full well. He shows here just how intimate God really is. God isn’t a far off Being that leaves us to our own devices. He’s in the trenches with us. He grieves with us. He’s in the pain with us. And dare I say, His heart is even more broken than ours can be as He has full understanding of sin and we are only able to comprehend a glimpse.
3: Jesus wept.
Humanity’s brokenness, our sin, death, it caused Jesus to weep. I looked up the definition of “weep” and dictionary.com says, “to express grief, sorrow, or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears; shed tears; cry“(emphasis added). There is no “unknown” for Jesus. Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, He knew there was a “happy” ending, but He still wept. He still felt the pain, grief and anguish of the moment. He validated the feelings of those He loves. He took time and experienced it and He allowed others to experience it as well. He grieved along side the family. But why? Why didn’t He just get to the happy ending? I think it’s because there’s nutrition in the “first” or “before”. Do you ever tell your kids, You have to eat your chicken first, then you can have the Hershey bar? Or “Before you eat dessert you have to finish your carrots.” It’s because we know the meal is more nutritious than the dessert. I think that is similar here. Jesus is giving heart nutrition before He gets to dessert. (I think I am hungry, lol) I think there are many points – or nutrients if we’re sticking with a food theme 😉 – you could potentially draw from this, but I have 4.
- Jesus wanted us to know He understands the pain of death.
- Jesus gives us permission to weep.
- Jesus wants us to see we can come to Him with our hurt, our fear, our questions.
- Jesus wants us to look to Him for the answer and then to trust that we will see the Glory of God if we trust Jesus with our hurt and circumstances.
For me, I think the fear of the unknown is really a question of, “How bad is this going to hurt?” and/or “How hard is it going to knock me down?” But the reality is, known or unknown, sin hurts. It’s a sucker punch to the gut that often makes you lose your breath and weep. I’d like to think I would be able to prepare better if I knew what was coming, but Jesus knew, and He was even the answer, but He still got sucker punched.
But I think Jesus shows us, by example, weeping, grieving, being deeply moved in our Spirit and greatly troubled over the travesty of sin is ok and probably even necessary. It motivates us to act. Jesus was seen by the crowd weeping. He didn’t put on a big boy, strong, “oh, I’m a Christian and I have to have it all together” kind of mask. No, He was troubled and He wept. I don’t know why we believe the lie that if we weep, mourn, have questions, etc… we somehow believe that means we are lesser Christians or lesser people even. I think, just as a lot of things, these emotions are neutral. Rather, it’s what we do with the emotion that makes it “good” vs. “bad”. We can allow the emotions to push us to seek God, or we can allow the emotions to push us away from God. We have the choice. We can choose to allow God to work good in our circumstances, or we can push His miracles away. Jesus worked a miracle and raised Lazarus from the dead. God promises to work good for those who love him. But we have to let Him and it has to be His way. I heard it said, God is a gentleman and will never force Himself on you.
So my friend, take your emotions to God. Take your circumstances to God – even if you have to over and over. He gets it. He’s not afraid of your emotions. And He’s a big God. He can certainly shoulder our tantrums and gently lead us through them. But always seek Him. Don’t be afraid to let Him work. He promises to be right by your side and He promises it’s for your good.
Don’t give up my friend. You are loved and you are chosen.
Precious Rubies 