Then. Jesus. Wept
by Kathy Chase, M.A., LCPC.
Then. Jesus. Wept.
When feeling the pain of loss and grief, especially during the holidays, these three words can be particularly comforting. For the holiday season is swollen with excitement, anticipation, and joy; yet those of us grieving are often swimming in sadness, tears, and sorrow. And then, I remember, Jesus wept too. I recall that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief”. (Is. 53:3). He knows my pain. He understands my desire to withdraw and stay back. He ‘gets it’. Yet, I too, need to see that in his pain, in his sorrow, in his loss, he stepped forward.
How, Lord, How? How am I to respond to the scurrying of shoppers, the lilting voices of carolers, and the laughter all around me when all I want to do is run away and cry? How can I step forward? In my mind I hear his words: God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Mt. 5:4). I breathe a word of prayer, “Oh, how I need your comfort, Lord.” My heart is touched; somehow the sting of sadness is now shared on the shoulders of my Lord, My heart feels a bit less heavy. I hear the carolers; I stop, and listen, and their beautiful voices in song begin to soothe my soul.
No longer do I feel alone in my grief, for He is with me, carrying me, soothing me. My focus shifts away from the pain I carry to talk to Jesus, thanking him for his love, his care, his sacrifice for me. Thanking him for carrying me in my time of pain and loss. Breathing a word of worship and praise for his suffering on my behalf that I might have a relationship with him here and now.
Psalm 121 comes to my mind: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” In these words, I am strengthened and encouraged to do the next thing – whether it be joining with others to celebrate the holiday, or finding a way to memorialize the person I’ve lost. I am renewed as I choose to read the words that bring life; and determine to live into those words, making them my pillar, my rock, my strength. His word. My hope.