"Jesus Wept" (John 11:35).

Yes, Jesus wept. The Bible tells us he cried with loud cries and tears in prayer (Hebrews 5:7). He wept over his beloved city, Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37). One of his most famous and strengthening teachings is found in the famous Beatitudes. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).

His heart ached with compassion for those who grieved and wept. A tender story can be found in Luke 7: 11-15. As Jesus approached a town named Nain, he saw a funeral procession. It was an only child. The bereaved was a widow. Her child had been all she had left in the world. When Jesus saw her grief, "his heart went out to her." Christ comforted her. Then he went to the coffin and touched it. He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!" And the young man arose from the dead. Jesus gave him back to his mother. All rejoiced. It was a miracle!

There is a similar story in the gospel of John about life and death. Christ had a number of cherished, intimate friends. Lazarus, Mary and Martha were among them. Lazarus became ill. The sisters sent word to Jesus. Come, they said. We need you desperately. It’s urgent. When Jesus heard of their request, he had a remarkable insight. He said, God will be glorified and honored in all of this.

When Jesus arrived several days later, it was too late. Many were weeping with the sisters. One went to meet Jesus. Oh, she said, if you had been here, my brother would still be alive. They engage in spiritual conversation. Jesus said to Martha, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said, I understand that will happen in the resurrection much later.

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though they die; whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" And Martha said, "Yes, Lord." "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Martha went to her sister and told her to go see Jesus. Mary went quickly, weeping. She saw Jesus and threw herself at his feet and her grief was profound. When Jesus say her grief, along with the others, he "was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." He asked to go to the grave.

Jesus wept. He wept with the surviving sisters and other mourners. He grieved with them. He understood the pain. Christ was "familiar with suffering" (Isaiah 53:3).

Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And his friend rose from the grave. Another miracle!

Then we read several pages later, the Healer is dead. Betrayed. Arrested. Tortured. Naked. Death through the cross. Christ is buried. How can this be? The answer is profound.

Three days later, Jesus Christ rises from the dead and appears to his friends. Death is conquered forever! The empty tomb brings us hope beyond the grave. Jesus Christ is alive! Death will never again touch him. And we will see our loved ones in Christ again. We grieve with hope. "Therefore, encourage each other with these words" (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? Thanks be to God! God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57). Jesus Christ hated death. He came to destroy death and give life. He rose from the dead! His tomb is empty.

Life. Love. Hope. Courage. Comfort. All these are ours in Jesus Christ.

May the loving-kindness and compassion of Jesus Christ be yours today and always.

The author of this material is "Surprised by Joy" (surprisedbyjoy@yahoo.com). "Surprised by Joy" is an ordained UFMCC Christian minister who discovered that God is wonder-full to be with. It is our hope and prayer at soulfoodministry.org that all visitors will experience the tenderloving-kindness of God and receive spiritual food for their journey.