September 20, 2024 Devo

Our passage today is the shortest verse in the Bible. It may also be the most profound. Two short words that we learn in Sunday School so we can tell our parents that we memorized scripture. But these two words are more than what most of us give them credit for. This verse is a window into a theological truth we often forget. God feels.
I think we mostly think of God as being a “thing” rather than a being. Yes, He is powerful. Yes, He can forgive sins. Yes, He can do miracles. But our thoughts of Him are mostly of One who simply does or does not. He blesses or He does not bless. He heals or He does not heal. He answers my prayer or does not answer my prayer. But in thinking of God that way we pigeonhole Him into some kind of Divine AI who knows all and is over all. And we miss one of the most beautiful parts of God. He feels.
When the Bible says that “God loves” that love certainly has action to it. It’s a love that gives. It’s a love that forgives. But don’t think for a moment that love is without feeling. Take a look again at the father in Jesus’ story of the Prodigal Son and read again how this father, who represents God in the story, responds to his son coming home. “Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him,” (Luke 15:20). Look at those words: love, compassion, ran, embraced, kissed. All are words that drip with emotion. This father’s actions were a direct result of the depth of feeling he was experiencing.
Now, back to our story. Jesus is walking to the grave of a good friend, with two broken-hearted sisters beside Him. He knows where Lazarus is. He knows what He is about to do. But His compassionate heart can’t help but empathize with what these people, who are so dear to Him, are going through. So Jesus, King of Kings, Sovereign Ruler Over the Universe, Miracle Worker, Redeemer, and Judge Over All, WEEPS. Because God, for all that He can do, still feels.
Take that with you today. Yes, God knows how lonely you are today. But He also feels it. Yes, God knows your sorrow and how hard you are grieving. But He also grieves with you. Yes, God knows how concerned you are about that one you love is so far down that dark path. But His heart breaks right alongside you. Jesus wasn’t just there to raise Lazarus from the dead. He was there to walk through that dark valley with His friends. Jesus wept with Mary and Martha. And He weeps with YOU. Because God FEELS. That’s God’s Word for you today.