Navigating the Human Emotions of Grief.
In a world that often discourages the open expression of our emotions during times of loss and grief, I find myself delving into a faith perspective to explore the significance of embracing our feelings. In this blog post, we'll reflect on the powerful and emotional verse “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) from the Gospel of John, chapter 11. Join me on this journey as we spend more time understanding the humanity and divinity of Jesus within the biblical text.
The Raising of Lazarus
The Gospel of John, chapter 11, recounts the poignant story of Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus who fell ill and passed away. Upon receiving the news, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha, were mourning his death. As Jesus observed the grief around Him, He was profoundly moved.
The Meaning of “Jesus Wept”
In John 11:33-37, we encounter Jesus' emotional response to Lazarus' death encapsulated in the phrase "Jesus wept." These two words reveal the depth of Jesus' compassion, emphasizing His understanding of the pain and loss felt by Mary, Martha, and those grieving for Lazarus.
Although Jesus knew that He would soon raise Lazarus from the dead, He allowed Himself to fully experience and express His emotions. Instead of suppressing His tears or detaching Himself from the situation, He openly wept, connecting authentically with the pain of those around Him.
The Freedom to Express Our Emotions
In a world that often encourages us to hide or suppress our emotions, Jesus’ example teaches us the importance of embracing our feelings. As both fully divine and fully human, Jesus demonstrated vulnerability by shedding tears. He showed us that it's acceptable to mourn, grieve, and express our emotions genuinely.
Crucially, Jesus’ tears did not signify a lack of faith or hope. On the contrary, they demonstrated His deep empathy and love for others. Similarly, we can find freedom in acknowledging and processing our emotions, fostering genuine connections with others and ourselves.
The Healing Power of Emotional Expression
Jesus’ tears were not merely a display of sentimentality; they played a crucial role in the larger story of Lazarus’ resurrection. His emotional response demonstrated His unity with humanity’s pain and foreshadowed His triumph over death.
Our emotional expression can also be a catalyst for healing and transformation. By freely expressing our emotions, we create space for growth, understanding, and connection. Much like Jesus’ tears, our tears can nurture the seeds of hope and restoration in ourselves and those around us.
The passage from John 11:33-37, where Jesus wept, serves as a powerful reminder of our freedom to acknowledge and express our emotions. Jesus' example teaches us that it's okay to grieve, mourn, and shed tears. Embracing our emotions opens doors to healing, growth, and empathy.
Remember, Jesus wept to show unity with humanity’s pain and ultimately triumphed over death. May we, too, realize that by freely and authentically expressing our emotions, we can find healing, restoration, and embrace the fullness of life.
This year, I will dedicate more time to pondering this topic in stillness. Join me on this journey and invite others to come along!
And as I press on in hope, I look forward to seeing you along the way!
Anna L. Woods, MMin, CLC, AGS
Peace, Hope, and Joy!
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