Jesus weeps with us

"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!'" John 11:33-36 BSB 

In a story published by WCCO in Minnesota on Monday, the following was reported: A Minnesota family is mourning the loss of their second daughter in less than three years. Abigail Anderson, 29, was killed by a truck Saturday evening while walking on Cleveland Avenue near the Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium in Falcon Heights. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office says a truck hit a parked car, which then struck Anderson. Police say the driver then performed a U-turn and ran over her while attempting to flee the scene. Anderson later died at Regions Hospital. Anderson, who was known to all as Abby, was a Children’s Minnesota nurse. What makes the pain of this loss even deeper for her family and friends is that her older sister, Gabe Grunewald, died of cancer two summers ago at age 32. Grunewald was a professional runner and starred on the University of Minnesota track team. “Abby was such a bright light and very fun to be around,” her brother, Caleb, wrote in an email to WCCO. “She was always full of positive energy and brought laughter and joy to everyone.”

And you know, it’s times like this that naturally cause us to wonder why a sovereign God would allow pain and suffering (suffering that seems to get worse with each passing day) to exist. And while I can't answer that question except to say that pain and suffering are a result of sin, I can tell you this... you and I have a Savior who loves us, who feels our pain, and who weeps with us when we are suffering and in mourning. One need only look at the story of Lazarus, the brother of Mary, to see just how true that is. The Bible tells us that when Jesus saw Mary and the other Jews with her weeping over her his death, "He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled" because He had also loved Lazarus... so much so that "Jesus wept" too. Is that amazing or what?  

So no matter what kind of heartache, grief, suffering, despair, or sadness you might be feeling today, take heart my friend. You are definitely not alone no matter how alone you might feel. Just as Jesus loved Lazarus, He loves you and He loves me. So cry out to Him and allow Him to give you the peace, comfort, and solace He so longs to provide. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that, although we will never understand the reasons that people suffer, we can know that You feel our pain and truly care. Help us to truly understand that and to look to You for comfort rather than reasons when we see and/or experience for ourselves the inevitable consequences of sin in this world. Cause us to trust You. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!