Jesus wept
"Jesus wept"
Let that sink in for a second.
The words are some of the purest words that express the depth in which Jesus feels for those he loves. Twice in scriptures, we see the intimacy of love that Jesus has for his beloved people. We experience the tenderness of tears as Jesus approaches Lazarus's death bed. His love toward Lazarus is so deep that even the Jews see the outpouring of love and proclaim "see how much he loved him!" We step into the depth of emotions as Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time. Amidst the shouts of hosannas, we see that Jesus's spirit is broken. In both instances, Jesus opening weeps for his people. The first time for an individual and the 2nd for a community as a collective body.
Today I have sat, listening and watching with intensity as my brothers and sisters in faith bore the weight of carrying a cross that was beyond heavy and comes with consequences felt around the world. This morning I was hopeful as they found their way forward in a conversation surrounding a particular plan for our denomination, then late this afternoon as the sky began to fall from light into darkness I felt my soul beginning to weep. Late this afternoon judgment replaced grace. Walls were erected where pathways once stood. A proposal that led to new stepping stones was tossed aside for regulation, rules, and tradition. In a mere minute, the tide seemed to turn, and loneliness pervaded. Tears welled in my eyes and my heart skipped a beat.
And Jesus wept.
Jesus wept for every single individual.
Jesus wept for those who cast stones upon others while negating their own sinfulness.
Jesus wept for those for whom words of welcome were couched in shades of exclusion.
Jesus wept for those for those who have been persecuted; beware for theirs is the Kingdom.
Jesus wept for his collective Body of Believers.
Jesus wept for the young men and woman for whom he has designed to lead us and yet has been s silenced by fear.
Jesus wept for the old who have dreamed dreams and prophesized of a new beginning; one that was redemptive and inclusive to all of God's children.
Jesus wept for our denomination.
Jesus wept for the broken.
Jesus wept for the wounded.
Jesus wept.
I know that as Jesus wept for us today and will be into the days to come. Yet I also know that there are new mercies that rise each and every day. Lamentations remind us, "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for God's compassions never fail us. They are new every morning." Mercies that beckon us to claim our own sinfulness, to fling open our doors without any prerequisites, to speak out and stand up for the persecuted, to encourage the next generation of leaders and continue to speak the truth and tell of a day when the captives will be set free. Joy will come in the morning {maybe not tomorrow, maybe not for days or months to come but joy will come}.
Today I am thankful that Jesus wept.
Today I weep.
Let that sink in for a second.
The words are some of the purest words that express the depth in which Jesus feels for those he loves. Twice in scriptures, we see the intimacy of love that Jesus has for his beloved people. We experience the tenderness of tears as Jesus approaches Lazarus's death bed. His love toward Lazarus is so deep that even the Jews see the outpouring of love and proclaim "see how much he loved him!" We step into the depth of emotions as Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time. Amidst the shouts of hosannas, we see that Jesus's spirit is broken. In both instances, Jesus opening weeps for his people. The first time for an individual and the 2nd for a community as a collective body.
Today I have sat, listening and watching with intensity as my brothers and sisters in faith bore the weight of carrying a cross that was beyond heavy and comes with consequences felt around the world. This morning I was hopeful as they found their way forward in a conversation surrounding a particular plan for our denomination, then late this afternoon as the sky began to fall from light into darkness I felt my soul beginning to weep. Late this afternoon judgment replaced grace. Walls were erected where pathways once stood. A proposal that led to new stepping stones was tossed aside for regulation, rules, and tradition. In a mere minute, the tide seemed to turn, and loneliness pervaded. Tears welled in my eyes and my heart skipped a beat.
And Jesus wept.
Jesus wept for every single individual.
Jesus wept for those who cast stones upon others while negating their own sinfulness.
Jesus wept for those for whom words of welcome were couched in shades of exclusion.
Jesus wept for those for those who have been persecuted; beware for theirs is the Kingdom.
Jesus wept for his collective Body of Believers.
Jesus wept for the young men and woman for whom he has designed to lead us and yet has been s silenced by fear.
Jesus wept for the old who have dreamed dreams and prophesized of a new beginning; one that was redemptive and inclusive to all of God's children.
Jesus wept for our denomination.
Jesus wept for the broken.
Jesus wept for the wounded.
Jesus wept.
I know that as Jesus wept for us today and will be into the days to come. Yet I also know that there are new mercies that rise each and every day. Lamentations remind us, "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed, for God's compassions never fail us. They are new every morning." Mercies that beckon us to claim our own sinfulness, to fling open our doors without any prerequisites, to speak out and stand up for the persecuted, to encourage the next generation of leaders and continue to speak the truth and tell of a day when the captives will be set free. Joy will come in the morning {maybe not tomorrow, maybe not for days or months to come but joy will come}.
Today I am thankful that Jesus wept.
Today I weep.
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