FEBRUARY 2021
Jesus wept
These two words are referred to as the shortest sentence in most Bible translations. Weeping occurs when the heart is overwhelmed and weighed down. Sometimes, we could get weeping when one is happy, but these are usually referred to as "tears of joy".
So weeping here can be referred to as an expression of grief, sorrow or any overpowering emotion by shedding tears or crying.
Some instances where we see Jesus wept are when Lazarus died (John 11v 35); when He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 13v 34) and again, when He drew near and saw the city, and He told His disciples about how it would be destroyed (Luke 19 v 41-44). Also, in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus spent time in prayer before He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested by the Roman soldiers (Hebrews 5 v 7).
Jesus wept, reveals aspects of Jesus's human side, though He was God incarnate. It also showed His heart of love for those He came to serve. This encourages us to shed emotions too when we feel overwhelmed by different situations that we face.
Jesus was a close friend with Mary, Martha and Lazarus who lived in Bethany. They sent to tell Jesus that His friend, Lazarus was ill. Jesus had to delay going to see them because He said this was not unto death. During this time, Lazarus died and was buried. Jesus arrived to see them and wept. He encouraged them to belief He was the resurrection and the life and went to the place Lazarus had been buried.
When you think about the situation, you may wonder if He was weeping because of the grief the sisters and family were in. This however may not explain it fully because Jesus knew He was going to raise him from the dead.
Could Jesus then have been weeping over the unbelief that abounded in the hearts of the people He met in Lazarus's house. It's possible he had met some there before, because he was a friend of the family. He may have wondered how deep their hearts issues seemed, and how the atmosphere was filled with hopelessness having buried Lazarus. He was prophetic and could often read their hearts so knew how little understanding they had of all He had been teaching. He could have been weeping about the journey to the Cross in Jerusalem that laid ahead for Him. He knew how filled with jealousy and hatred the leaders were, and how they had instigated the crowd against Him.
Jesus was so weighed down in the garden of Gethsemane, He cried to Papa to let this cup pass over Him, but then settled finally for God's will to be done.
Yes, indeed, there was much for Jesus to weep about back then. But you may say this is speculation, and indeed it is. However, we carry the heart of Jesus today, so what should we be weeping about as we look around at our brothers and sisters in Christ?
One of the biggest issues today is the state of the heart of Father God's children. So many are carrying much emotional baggage. There is little attention on this because this can be hidden so we carry on or are expected to button up all these terrifying emotions and told to get on with life. Many are seeking for their identity through no fault of theirs. Parents who were to provide this were unable to. Hearts are so broken from their inability to survive the emotional wounds they suffered growing up that people end up either in depression or are operating far below their gifting and capacity or indeed some are suicidal. We find many have had to live with one trauma or the other and this is hidden inside us, rather than taken out. Traumas ranging from sexual abuse by adults who were supposed to care for you to outright rape, extortion, verbal abuse and the list continues. Surely, Jesus must be weeping about this and so should we.
Jesus may also be weeping about our inability to love each other well. Rather than look to the Lord to fill our hearts with love, we look to each other and are surprised when we are dissatisfied with each other or totally disappointed. This usually degenerates into keeping malice and bitterness and we tend to believe the lies that the enemy tells us over the truth of what God is saying. Some are carrying so much unforgiveness and resentment.
All these cause us to exchange love for hate and envy and this ought to be cause for us to weep, for Father God gave us as the first commandment, that we should love Him with all our hearts and soul and strength and will, and then love others as we love ourselves.
Our ability to love one another should beautify us as a church family so much that people will be attracted to Christ for our sakes.
As we walk in distrust and criticism and bitterness and envy, how attractive can we possibly look to those outside the church family?
But bringing all this closer still, what are the things happening in my life today, that would make Jesus weep..? Is it my inability to forgive myself even though I know in my head that He went to the Cross to die that I may be forgiven? Does the enemy tell me my sins are too bad, implying Jesus's blood is not strong enough. Or am I believing that Jesus does not love me because I have wrecked too many good opportunities before? Jesus may be weeping because He is offering me a brand new opportunity whereas I am believing the lies of the enemy and not listening to His still small voice that is showing the new door of opportunity He has opened.
Father God has given us an open invitation to come unto Him, just as we are. We are not able to fix ourselves. Many have tried to work on themselves, but it is a self help plan that is not working. Jesus died that we would be made whole through the power of His broken Body and His Precious Blood. Let us let go of all that is holding us back and enter into the arms of Our loving Father.
For more on inner healing, go to www.bethelsozonetworknigeria.org.
God bless us all.
Mina Bajomo
