Our Lenten Devotion for Wednesday, March 9, comes to us from Steadfast Love which features reflections and prayers by Ed Arle and Gil Duchow, with inspiration from the works of Henri J.M. Nouwen.
But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. Luke 23:28 NIV
“Weeping for Us”
“If we want to mourn for Jesus, we have to mourn for the suffering humanity that Jesus came to heal. If we are truly sad because of the suffering and pain which we suffered, we will include in our sadness all of the men, women, and children who suffer in our present world.” (from Walk with Jesus by Henri J.M. Nouwen, page 52)
When was the last time you laughed? I mean laughed so hard tears came to your eyes and you thought you would never stop laughing. Here’s another question: When was the last time you wept? I don’t mean teared up; I mean really and truly wept to the point where your stomach hurt and your heart ached and you thought, “When will it ever stop?”
I think sometimes Jesus must look at our world and weep. I think Jesus says to you and me, “Do you see what’s happening all around you? Do you listen to the news and hear my voice asking you to feel the pain of others as you weep and pray for them?”
I remember how Jesus cried out from the cross for his Father …and for me.
Friends –
Whenever we feel empathy for others, whenever we weep, especially for those who are suffering, we literally and figuratively make Christ come alive to them.
When we reach out through our presence with others we bring Christ to life in those moments.
--Pastor bea
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you once said that “if you reach out to care for others, you’re reaching out to me.” Lord, let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Amen.