Perfect Love

Perfect Love

Dear Champions,

The short excerpt this is by Tim Keller, and the Scripture is John 11:33-35 When Jesus saw Mary weeping (because of the death of Lazarus), he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Where have you laid him? he asked. Come and see, Lord, they replied.  Jesus wept.

Mary asks Jesus, Lord, why were you not here because you could have stopped this? Jesus cannot even speak, but He just weeps.  Now this has startled me about this passage for years.  When Jesus moves into a situation like this He knows why it happened, the purpose of it, and He knows how He is going to turn it into a glorious manifestation of the glory of God.  He knows that in just 10 minutes or so that everyone there will be rejoicing when He raises Lazarus from the dead. 

 

If we went in this knowing that we were about to turn everybody s weeping into joy in about 10 minutes, then why would we weep?  Does it make psychological sense that if you knew that you were about to turn everything around in 10 minutes that you would be weeping and that you would enter into the grief and the pain and the trauma of their hearts?  Why would He do that?  Because that is perfect love.  Jesus will not close His heart even for 10 minutes, and He will not refuse to enter in the pain. 

 

There is nothing wrong with weeping at a time like this and kind of falling apart.  Jesus Christ was the most mature person that ever lived, and He is fallen into grief.  Therefore, the best people will be the biggest weepers.  Frankly, the people that are more like Jesus are going to be the people who cannot and do not avoid grief and who find themselves just pulled into the grief of other people that are hurting.  There is nothing wrong with that, and there is actually something very right about it.

 

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 

Champions, have a great week!-David Vining