Jesus Grieves
I was reading through the book of Matthew and came across some things I have never noticed before.
In Matthew 14 Jesus' friend, John the Baptist, was beheaded. After Jesus heard about this, the bible says He withdrew to a secluded place. How did I miss this before? Jesus was grieving! He went away to be alone in prayer and to process the horror of losing His friend. What comes next blew me away.
While Jesus was away crowds followed Him. Jesus saw the crowds and, moved by compassion, He healed their sick. While in the middle of deep grief, Jesus performed some of His greatest miracles. It was during this time that he fed the thousands with five loaves and two fish. All while grieving His friend's death. Jesus then goes on to walk on water and stops a storming sea. All miracles performed while Jesus was heartbroken over the loss of his friend. I never recognized the series of events that took place in this story. I never understood how the power grief is a driving force to help others.
My heart has been aching for those suffering from loss during these uncertain times. My heart breaks for both those who've lost family and friends from the virus and those who've lost their loved ones as a terrible result of our fallen world. I imagine how unseen they must feel. I know after losing my son, feeling seen eluded me. Even with the outpouring of love and encouragement from hundreds of people I felt alone. Grief does that to you. It isolates you. Feeling understood during loss is simply impossible. How much more can that feeling be during a time where literally the entire world is in a stand still.
Reading about the actions of Jesus during His moment of grieving encourages my heart. Some of the best miracles can come during times of heartache. Just as massive revelations can come from times of isolation.
Friends, take comfort in knowing that the same spirit that dwells inside Jesus dwells inside each of us. We may not be feeding thousands with fish and bread, but look at the thousands of children communities are feeding during this time of lacking. Look at friends and neighbors banding together to meet the needs surrounding them. Look at the encouragement we are giving through social media and online church service. Friends, look. Look around us and see what isolation and grief has done for this world. Jesus is still performing miracles greater than we could imagine in a time we never imagined would happen.
This is a perfect example of how the Lord uses what was meant for destruction and transforms it to a thing of beauty and hope.
What if Jesus never went away to grieve? What if He never felt the weight of losing His friend? If these things never happened the fish would have never multiplied, that bread would have never fed the hungry. The miracle would have never been performed.
We have the blessing of knowing the whole story of the bible. We know that after John the Baptist died, Jesus would perform miracles. We know that after Jesus hung on the cross, He would rise again. We don't know the ending of this story we are living, but something tells me it's going to be AMAZING! Let's find hope in that.
Friend's I have been racking my brain trying to find a way I can help during this time. Unfortunately, I don't have a stockpile of toilet paper to hand out, but I do have a heart to pray. If you are feeling hopeless or scared, I would love to pray with you. There is a form in our contact tab to submit prayer requests. You can also email me, leave a comment, text me, call me, anything. I would love to join you in praying for peace or any need you have. We may be in a time of isolation and we may feel distanced from everyone and everything, but friend I can assure you, our Father in heaven has never been closer.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." -Psalms 34:18
Let Jesus save you!