Jesus Wept

Good afternoon,

" Jesus wept "   John 11:35

Lazarus has died. Mary and Martha, his sisters, explain to Jesus that if he would have come earlier, that he could have healed their brother. Jesus is brought to tears by their anger and disappointment. He may be sad about Lazarus' death as well. But, the the text does say that he waited until Lazarus had died to show up. So, this is a more complex story than it should be.

But Jesus does sob. In other parts of the story he is said to be disappointed as well. He is very emotional in this story. It is close to when he arrives for Passover in Jerusalem. He knows he is going to die. I see his being human coming out strongly in this part of the journey to the cross. The text says that Jesus, " was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved." ( verse 33 ). Jesus is human like me, but I am not like Jesus.

I am sad today, and angry. We were supposed to leave to be with all of our family, and to be with our daughter Hannah and her husband Ala in Jordan. We do not get together often as a whole gang. Last time we were together was December 2018. So with all the closures around the world, we cannot fly and be there. I was really looking forward to it. I am very sad.

I know none of us has died of Covid 19, and I have a house to be in during this stay-at-home time. I have enough food, and we can FaceTime with all of us, but I am still angry and sad. I live a privileged and safe existence here in Canada, but I had so hoped to be in Amman by the end of tomorrow.

What are you missing in these days ? Where are your disappointments going this afternoon ?  What makes you sad ? And what are your areas of gratitude ?

Prayer for Today

Lord, I know you wept openly,

when you saw others, sad for events

going

on in their lives.

How many tears did you shed, 10, 100, or a 1000 drops ?

I know you understand all of us

our tears, our anger, our questions , our being forgotten…

Transform, make new, plant seeds of gratitude

In our hearts

for your wide presence in our years of life

So,

we may give you all of our

sadnesses, that you will

hang on your wide shoulders of compassion.

Touch our souls with your large hands of love.

 AMEN                                                                  Fred Redekop