Jesus wept

Jesus had gone to a town called Nain and as he entered the city gates, there was a funeral procession coming out.  A young man, who was his mother’s only son, had died and she was a widow.  In that culture she was now in a desperate place. Provision for women came either through their father, husband or son.  She had none of these to provide for her so apart from the awful grief of losing her only son, she also had no one to provide for her in her old age.

And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’  Luke 8: 13 (Amp)

This widow was not looking for Jesus, she didn’t even ask him for anything but Jesus in his great compassion, raised her son from the dead. Imagine her joy; her only son returned to her!

The shortest verse in the Bible is ‘Jesus wept’ John 11:35.  This verse is found in the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead.  His sisters, Mary and Martha were overcome with grief and with the belief that if Jesus had only come sooner Lazarus would not have died because Jesus would have healed him.  When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping and all the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled’ Luke 11:33.   Again Jesus is moved with compassion by the tears of the ladies whose breadwinner had died.  Lazarus was his great friend and Jesus knew he was going to raise him from the dead.  Nevertheless he was deeply moved and troubled by their grief.  

Again and again in the Bible God draws special attention to looking after widows and orphans (for example Deuteronomy 10:18 and Psalm 68:5). The Bible says God defends the cause of the fatherless and widows because they are often the most vulnerable members of society.  God is a compassionate God.  He is just as concerned about widows and orphans today. God cares deeply about the vulnerable members of any society and will defend them.  God has not changed; he is still deeply compassionate for those grieving or in trouble. If you feel alone, vulnerable, weak, uncared for God knows and cares. Trust him to defend your cause and look after you.