Beaudesert Baptist Church – Josh Cocks
I am intrigued by Jesus’ actions when His close friend Lazarus died.
Though aware of what was going to happen next, He joined Mary and Martha’s mourning and the shortest verse in the Bible was recorded, ‘Jesus wept’ (John 11:35).
Grief is not a lack of faith, but a natural and shared emotional response to loss.
It is part of living in a broken world.
Jesus identifies with our suffering and reveals His heart of compassion.
The Psalms are filled with prayers of sorrow and confusion.
The Bible encourages this honest expression.
The psalmist asks, ‘Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?’ (Ps. 42:11).
Thankfully, God does not leave us alone.
Psalm 34:18 says, ‘The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’
Furthermore, we are all called to support one another and share the burden. Paul instructs us to ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep’ (Rom. 12:15).
Divine comfort is available. God asks us to be part of this shared experience.
This is real community.
