Today’s exhortation – what a Friend
The shortest verse in the bible is also one of the most empathic verses. It simply says, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). People say He wept because He was sad Lazarus had died but it doesn’t add up because He knew moments later, He will raise Lazarus up. I believe He wept because He felt the pain of the family and the difficulty of what He had allowed them to go through. He knew Lazarus will live again, but they didn’t. He saw them in pain and crying and He was moved to tears Himself. One day, the difficulties of life got on top of me and so I sat down on my bed broke down in tears before God and poured out my heart. I was alone in the room at the time.
Some days later, the moment played in my head again and this time, I saw Jesus sitting next to me with His hands around my shoulders. Tears were running down His face and He appeared to be telling me “I Am here and you are not alone.” At that moment I knew He felt my pain. However He was allowing me to go through the fire for a reason. “There is a friend who sticks closer than brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) and I can testify that The Lord is such a friend. He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2). You’re not alone, The is with you! Amen
Francis Hans-Jorie
