Jesus Wept

There are many people who are spiritually dead, but someone may be praying for them, a mother or a sister, a relative or a friend. That sinner, the homosexual, the drug addict, the prostitute, had someone caring about them before Jesus came into their hearts and made them alive by the power of God. Jesus showed that he cares for us as he responded to two sister's whose brother Lazarus was dying and was dead.

John 11:32  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
John 11:33  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
John 11:34  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
John 11:35  Jesus wept.
John 11:36  Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Jesus would command that Lazarus come forth from the grave. He showed that he was the Lord over life and death.

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

He also showed a human heart of compassion in the heart of the Son of God. He was moved by the weeping of the people. Even though he knew he was going to raise up Lazarus, he still felt the sorrow of those around him and he too wept. Jesus wept, the shortest verse in the Bible that speaks a very large message to us. What does this mean to us today? It means that we have a friend in Jesus. When we moan and groan in our spirit, he feels our suffering. When we pray, he hears our prayers.

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Jesus knows are sufferings for he has experienced them.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Keep praying for the lost or the afflicted and know that you are not alone. If you are a friend of Jesus, he is with you and he cares because Jesus wept for us and he will respond to our heartfelt needs. Pray knowing that he hears your prayers and feels your pain. He really does care.

Exceeding Sorrowful

Mar 14:32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Mar 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
Mar 14:34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Mar 14:35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mar 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

An anxious heavy heart must go to God in prayer.

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Most likely satan is causing the problem, but he cannot touch you without God's permission. Look deep for the purpose, but always humbly submit your will to God. He knows more than we do. We are never to accuse him. Are we wiser than God? Are we God?

Remember that Jesus has felt all that we feel, he knows our hearts as a faithful High Priest.

Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Again prayer is the answer to our infirmities. We are not alone for Jesus has suffered first and all we struggle with is common to humanity.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

We need to trust God more, not complain to others. He promises us to give us a way to escape. I have seen him fulfill the promise of this verse many times. Have faith and do not be judgmental of another's lack of faith, for I see that as foolish pride. Pray for those with little faith. Be an intercessor. Sometimes we may grow weary of hearing the same complaints from some people over and over, but we have a responsibility to hear them and to pray for them.

Gal 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Love suffers long; perhaps we can help them with the scriptures and in prayer?

Jas 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Jesus prays for us and we should pray for ourselves and others. Often our healing comes when we forget about ourselves and pray for others. We will face times of deep anguish, as our Lord did. He had to take on the sins of all the world, and be whipped and nailed to a cross? What have we to complain about in comparison to this?

2Ti 2:11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
2Ti 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Never doubt our Lord, be faithful for his grace is there for us.

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Pro 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Pro 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.