Whose Heart Is Hurting

Jesus wept.

“WHERE ARE YOU?”

If you’ve ever uttered that prayer, you can probably relate to the sisters Mary and Martha. Nearly a week had passed since they had sent word to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was sick. They were sure that if Jesus knew his dear friend was gravely ill, He would come. But He hadn’t. Lazarus had passed away. He had been placed into a tomb. And four days had come and gone without the return of Jesus.

Imagine having been close to Jesus when He performed so many healing miracles. Imagine having your home be a place where He stayed during part of His ministry. Imagine knowing that if only He would hurry, He could be there in time to save your brother, whom you knew He loved. Then, after your brother died, you continued to wait for Jesus, perhaps going to the tomb to grieve as your house filled with professional mourners and your soul was exhausted from the sorrow.

But Jesus hadn’t come yet. He wasn’t busy, distracted, or indifferent. Far from it! Those who loved Lazarus had wanted to see a healing miracle. Jesus wanted them to witness a resurrection.

On that fourth day when the Lord arrived, the two sisters greeted Him very differently. When Jesus wasn’t far from Bethany, Martha learned that He had come, and she rushed out to meet Him. She said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (John 11:21-22, ESV).

There is no record of tears in Martha’s plea. Instead, there was a determined resolve and confident faith that God could still do something miraculous. Jesus responded, “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23).

Martha returned home to tell her sister, Mary, that Jesus had arrived and wanted to talk with her. Mary quickly rose and went to the place where Martha had met with Jesus. There she fell at His feet, saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32).

Scripture records what happened then.

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”

Luke tells us that Jesus’s next act wasn’t raising Lazarus from the dead; instead, He paused to weep. Jesus, the One who knows all things, the One who sees the end of all things from the beginning, the One who created the world and set it into motion, stopped to cry.

He knew Lazarus would live again. He knew everything. But He stopped to weep because He was deeply moved.

Mommas, just like Mary and Martha, we sometimes don’t understand the Lord’s timing at all. We want Him to prevent every tragedy, sickness, and moment of pain before it happens. We wonder, “Where were You? Where are You? But just as Jesus commanded Lazarus to come forth to new life, so He can declare and speak life over every situation that is trying to overwhelm you.

Today, my friend, may I remind you that your pain still moves the heart of Jesus? He is still compassionate toward the hurt you feel. He isn’t distant, removed, or cold. He hasn’t turned away. He loves you and all those you love.

I hear Him reminding us that He is present even if something doesn’t turn out the way we hoped. He weeps with us because our pain still moves His heart. God is “close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18). Tonight let His presence comfort you.

Tonight we pray for the momma whose heart is hurting. Lord, remind her that the sun comes out. And she heals. And there is a day when all the pain isn’t as raw, even if it’s still real. Help her see where You stood and remember that even You weep, and every tear of hers You catch, and You keep. Help her know You’re holding her with fire in your eyes and remind her that brokenness still breaks Your heart. This isn’t some line, or some lie. Comfort her tonight as only You can and bless her as she trusts that it’s all in Your hands.

We ask in Jesus’s name, amen.

Jesus, heal my heart tonight as I share it with You: