“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35
I love the short verses of Psalm 139:7 and 121:8. The three words of 1 Thessalonians 5:16 are wonderful. But my favorite short verse of the Bible is John 11:35, just two words that bring comfort to those in sorrow.
After the funeral of a young husband who died after about a year of marriage, his wife wept loudly. I was about to hug her when another pastor said to her, “Don’t cry. The funeral’s over. You’ll be all right. It’s time to move on.” I could not have disagreed with him more! It’s okay—even good—to weep. After all, Jesus knew Lazarus would live again, yet He still wept.
A story goes that a young girl’s friend died. One day she told her mother she’d gone to comfort the sorrowing mother. “What did you say?” asked her mother. The girl said, “Nothing. I just climbed up in her lap and cried with her.” Jesus shares our pain and loss like that. He weeps with us. “His heart is touched with my grief;/ When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,/ I know my Savior cares” (J. Lincoln Hall, 2017).
Feel free to weep. After all, Jesus did.
After the funeral of a young husband who died after about a year of marriage, his wife wept loudly. I was about to hug her when another pastor said to her, “Don’t cry. The funeral’s over. You’ll be all right. It’s time to move on.” I could not have disagreed with him more! It’s okay—even good—to weep. After all, Jesus knew Lazarus would live again, yet He still wept.
A story goes that a young girl’s friend died. One day she told her mother she’d gone to comfort the sorrowing mother. “What did you say?” asked her mother. The girl said, “Nothing. I just climbed up in her lap and cried with her.” Jesus shares our pain and loss like that. He weeps with us. “His heart is touched with my grief;/ When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,/ I know my Savior cares” (J. Lincoln Hall, 2017).
Feel free to weep. After all, Jesus did.
Scripture Focus
John 11:1-44
Insight
FAVORITE SHORT VERSE OF THE BIBLE by Pastor Curry Pikkaart, who, in retirement, hasn’t stopped serving in ministry at all! He has composed several Anchors, has counseled many, continues preaching in various churches, and joyfully volunteers whenever he can.
Bible In A Year
- Deuteronomy 7-8
- Psalm 83
- Acts 5-6