Jesus shared grief
Scripture: John 11; Matthew 26:36-46
In John 11 Lazarus dies. When Jesus saw Lazarus’ sister Mary and the others weeping, “He was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (v33). Jesus shared in their grief.
Following this, Jesus is taken to where the body lay and he wept because of his own personal sense of loss - as the crowd pointed out, “See how he loved him!” (vv. 35-36).
Jesus not only experienced grief and loss but he shared in the grief and loss of others. On top of this, Jesus asks others to share in his grief.
Grieving because of his impending death Jesus “began to be sorrowful and troubled” and said to Peter, James and John, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Mt 26:37-38).
Sharing grief and loss requires proximity and vulnerability. Jesus allowed others into his grieving and was vulnerable with his emotions.
Activity: Who do you invite to “keep watch with me” and share in your losses? Compile a list of people you’ve been vulnerable and have invited into the grieving process – thank God for them.
Are you close enough and available for others to share their grief with you? Compile a list of people whose grief you have shared in and pray for them.