December 12th, 2024
Thursday, December 12th
The God with Us
By: Anna Williams
One of my most favorite Christmas songs is Emmanuel because of its reminder that the birth of Christ was when God came to be with us. No other religion can claim a god who put aside power to demonstrate their desire and ability to understand us fully.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” – John 11:21-23 NIV
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. – John 11:33-35 NIV
The verses above tell the conversations and actions of Jesus upon arrival at his dear friend, Lazarus’ funeral. If you read the full account, you get a sense that Jesus was aware of Lazarus’ illness and chose to wait until after his death to go to him. He knew ahead of time what would transpire and how God’s glory would be shown. So why did he weep with the others?
I believe Jesus wept because he cares deeply for us when we go through hard things. He is omniscient so he knows what the outcome will be, but he also empathizes with our pain and frustration in the painful moments. He understands our sense of loss and abides with us in it.
Are you hurting? Take a moment to say, “Come and see, Lord”. Invite Jesus to be Emmanuel.
The God with Us
By: Anna Williams
One of my most favorite Christmas songs is Emmanuel because of its reminder that the birth of Christ was when God came to be with us. No other religion can claim a god who put aside power to demonstrate their desire and ability to understand us fully.
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” – John 11:21-23 NIV
“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. – John 11:33-35 NIV
The verses above tell the conversations and actions of Jesus upon arrival at his dear friend, Lazarus’ funeral. If you read the full account, you get a sense that Jesus was aware of Lazarus’ illness and chose to wait until after his death to go to him. He knew ahead of time what would transpire and how God’s glory would be shown. So why did he weep with the others?
I believe Jesus wept because he cares deeply for us when we go through hard things. He is omniscient so he knows what the outcome will be, but he also empathizes with our pain and frustration in the painful moments. He understands our sense of loss and abides with us in it.
Are you hurting? Take a moment to say, “Come and see, Lord”. Invite Jesus to be Emmanuel.
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