Jesus wept

Bible Reading: John 11:32–35
Author: Jean Bonin (Alberta, Canada)
Friday 29 March 2024 © The Upper Room.
The phone call came in the middle of an ordinary morning. The caller was almost incoherent, overcome with grief. ‘Ricky is dead.’

Ricky was my nephew. It was a freak accident, and now a man who was loved and who loved so freely was gone. He left behind a wife, step- sons, grandchildren, a mother, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and friends. I struggled to make sense of it; I wanted to find a word of comfort for his mother. I wanted words of consolation for myself and for others who were hurting.

I found the words I needed in the passage about Lazarus in John 11: ‘Jesus wept’ – just two words but they were enough to remind me that God grieves with us. I didn’t need the why of Ricky’s death; I didn’t need answers. What I needed was to weep with those who were weeping. The minister’s words during the service celebrating Ricky’s life were powerful. He reminded us that, as in the story of Lazarus, Christ brings us hope when we see no hope. Even in a time of grief, the promise of eternal life gives us strength to  rejoice.
 
Prayer: O God, help us to comfort those who hurt, to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice. In Jesus’ name. Amen
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I am so thrilled and excited about the BSL version of Deaf Missions Daily Devotions. I have their booklet and been using them for nearly a year. I have good command of English but still struggle with the concept of the context at times. What a difference it has made just watching someone signing the passage so clearly and of superior quality! I notice the USA are far more advanced with access to the Gospel in ASL but now you have made it possible for us. So many thanks for this! May it go from strength to strength. JJ