We know that Jesus felt compassion; the New Testament is full of references. The reason He came to this Earth was out of compassion! This story gives us a very real hope! We know that He had - and has- power over death, the death of Lazarus, His own death, others, and even ours. There were many eye witnesses who observed this resurrection and others:
"11Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. 14Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” 15Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother." (Luke 7, NLT)
"49While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened." (Luke 8, ESV)
"3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He appeared to Cephasa and then to the Twelve. 6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth. " (1 Corinthians 15, BSB)
There are also recounts of resurrection in the Old Testament, but this is a short devotional, right?
Today, our family has suffered a loss. May he be in the arms of our Lord. But there is a new void in our lives that will not be remedied, ever, as long as we live here on Earth. It was years ago, as we prepared for one of many funerals that I had a life-changing realization, for me, anyway. The measure of our grief is a portion of the measure of our love for those we've lost. At that time, I found myself able to thank God for my grief as it was certainly an indication of my love for the family member, but also for those who are also grieving. I can also take some comfort in knowing that God cares, that He is with us, and that "Jesus wept." He weeps with us still. Tears will not be removed from Heaven until after Jesus returns to us as shown in the future tense of the following:
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4, KJV)
Oh, What a Day That Will Be.
Lord God, please be with all who are grieving, now, and forever. Thank You for understanding our grief, for carrying us through, and for giving us Hope. Thank You, Jesus, that YOU are our Hope! We pray in Your Great Name, amen.