Love:Weeping - Podcast Day 1 Deeper GuideDaria Nardozza - 25 Mar 2013

How do we face Jesus when the worst has happened? How do we pray when we’re in pain?

Reflect

Bible Verse: John 11:32-38 & 41-44 (MSG)

“Mary came to where Jesus was waiting and fell at his feet saying, “Master, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her sobbing and the Jews with her sobbing, a deep anger welled up within him. He said, “Where did you put him?” “Master, come and see,” they said. Now Jesus wept. The Jews said, “Look how deeply he loved him.” Others among them said, “Well, if he loved him so much, why didn’t he do something to keep him from dying? After all, he opened the eyes of a blind man.”  Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said, “Remove the stone”… They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I’ve spoken so that they might believe that you sent me.” Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him loose.”

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

How much pain has cracked your soul?
How much love would make you whole?
You're my guiding lightning strike
                Muse (lyrics from the song 'I belong to you')

God’s compassion and love for us, like Lazarus and his family, is incredible. Jesus weeps with us and experiences the pain we go through and experience. Although we don’t always understand God’s timing in our moments of difficulty, or His big picture, we can rest in the fact that He loves us and is working for our good. Because He loves us like he does, we can trust Him through every moment of uncertainty and pain.

Have you ever experienced or needed God’s compassion and tears? What are some of the cares or worries in your life that you need to give Him?

Respond

Today, spend some time reflecting on the areas of you life that feel difficult and out of your control or where you need God’s compassion and tears. Remember God weeping with you and experience his compassion and love through these moments of difficulty. Cast each care upon Him.

Pray

Thank you Jesus that you will meet us when we are honest with you and let you in.
Thank you that you can cope with our pain and you understand our grief.
But would you not leave us there, would you take us forward.
Would you move us on in healing, in hope. Would you answer our prayer.
I cannot wait for the day when there is no more pain, no more grief, no more illness or death and when you wipe every tear from our eyes.
Jesus bring your hope, bring your healing and please, Lord, answer our prayers.

Amen

Every day this week we will be posting a Deeper Guide on the blog to go with the release of each new episode of LOVE:EASTER