The Spiritual Journey 2024 - Day 39: Jesus wept over death.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭116‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Mary and Martha had sent for Jesus, telling Him that Lazarus, their brother, was very sick. When Jesus heard the news, rather than hastening to be with them, He waited two more days in the place where He was.

When Jesus finally got to Bethany, He asked to be taken to Lazarus’ tomb. Then, when Jesus saw Mary and the other Jews weeping, He was greatly moved.

“Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬-‭36‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Now, when Jesus had first heard of Lazarus’ illness, He said this to His disciples:

“When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

So, if Jesus knew what He would end up doing, if He knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, why did He weep?

You see, man was originally created to live forever. But, the wages of sin is death. The Lord, though He knew that He would raise up Lazarus, was nonetheless moved by the tragedy of death, and the suffering and pain it causes.

Think of it, our Lord cared so much about our death, He sacrificed Himself to make it possible for us to live forever.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.“

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

As well, one day the Lord will destroy death itself.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”“

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.“

‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In today’s portion of Psalm 116, we see the psalmist recognizing (through the way the Lord has worked to preserve his life) that the Lord does not take the death of His children lightly.

In speaking of God’s love for His people, Isaiah tells us that the Lord shares in our suffering.

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old.“

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭63‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

You can be sure that the shedding of our blood does not go unnoticed by our Lord.

 “He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; And precious shall be their blood in His sight.“

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭72‬:‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Friend, the Lord cares deeply about our current mortality. Thank God that one day we will be given a glorious body that will never die or decay.

For now we can be encouraged, knowing that if we must face death in this life, the Lord will be with us through it and lead us safely home.

The Lord cares for us in life. The Lord cares for us in death. The Lord cares for us.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#thespiritualjourney2024