11/26/2021
Jesus suffered for us, not out of obligation, but because He loved us. In this way, as our example in life, death, and honoring God’s grace, He teaches us not to shrink from suffering either. Scripture tells us that Jesus wept on three occasions, and If we love much then we will serve, and suffer, in this same way. Although the pain can be immense, our offering, and willing submission to it makes it fragrant, and brings honor to it. Suffering in love is something to be admired, and even desired on occasion. Do we loved this much? Have we given ourselves in such unbridled love and affection for one another?
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:2 ESV
Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day and we gathered together with family and loved ones; some of us for the first time in two years because of the pandemic. These are people who one day, perhaps today, we will be likely to suffer with, and for. I heard stories from friends about having lost a loved one to the COVID virus, and how hard this particular gathering would be without them there. This is love, this is suffering, and the tears I have in my eyes right now are there in empathy with my friends who are hurting. Our ability to weep as Jesus wept is the result of a heart that has been circumcised by our faith, and shown the true love of God.
“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.”
1 Peter 4:1-2 ESV
Scripture reveals to us that Jesus wept. On three separate occasions we are told of his sorrow, and suffering that led him to tears. What is most revealing isn’t that He cried, because all humans have the ability to cry; our lesson is in why He cried… because He loved.
Perhaps the most famous of these three instances comes in sympathy to the suffering of Mary, the sister of Lazarus, as Jesus prepared to raise Her brother, and His friend, from death. In the shortest sentence in the Bible we read… “Jesus wept.” Jesus wept out of empathy for Mary and the pain she was feeling at having lost Her brother who she loved so much. Jesus loves us in this way; our suffering in love moves Him deeply. When we see others suffering as a result of love, we are moved as well, hopefully just as He was by the love of God. How many times have we cried, or fought back tears when we have witnessed grief in others… especially when it is the result of true love.
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.”
John 11:33-35 ESV
The second instance that comes to mind occurs when Jesus entered Jerusalem, and wept for its impending demise. Jesus was moved to tears because this city had lost sight of its faith, and didn’t recognize Him for who He was, and why he had come. How many times have we wept in prayer for those we love who have turned their faces from Christ? How often have we wept for our people, and our country, when they have lost sight of their faith, and turned away from God?
“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side”
Luke 19:41-43 ESV
And finally, Jesus wept at the suffering He knew awaited Him, and how he would yield His own comfort, and life, in obedience to God, and in servitude to man, both whom He loved. We too weep at the visage of suffering we are about to face, even when we know it is as a result of our love, and the will of God.
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”
Hebrews 5:7-8 ESV
God’s love is overwhelming, and it fills our heart to bursting. We weep at the thought of its a we worship and praise Him. We weep at the suffering of Mary, the mother of Jesus as she cradled the body of her dead Son. We weep for those who we know will be lost because of their hard heart, and inability to love, and we weep at the thought of all the future suffering we will endure as we uphold the commandment to love, and know that we might be called to lay down our lives for others. Oh my God, Oh my Lord, how deep the pain, how complete the sorrow, that rides in the same saddle with love.
““This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13 ESV
Poets, and songwriters, show us time and time again these loves, the depth of them, the joys of them, and the sorrow that ultimately accompanies them. The question today however involves the hardest of these to endure… the suffering for those we love. So let’s ask ourselves if we love with the love of God, just as Jesus did; one that leads to great suffering as a result? Let’s ask if we have ever given ourselves over to not only loving Jesus, but to an unbridled love for others that would bring us to our knees, and fill our eyes with the tears of God for them?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your love that we feel within ourselves, and for our desire to not only love you, but others, just as you love us. Help us Lord to increase the sensitivity of our hearts so that we can be more responsive to you in prayer, praise, worship, and love for our neighbors. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves without reservation, and without bounds. Praised be your name for every opportunity we are given to love, and to open our hearts completely. Merciful are you Father as you see in us the image of your Son Jesus. Wash us in His blood, and forgive us our sins, so that we can live eternally in your loving presence… made acceptable, and pleasing in your sight. Seat us at your table now, and forevermore!
Rich Forbes