Grieving

Pastor was talking about Jesus, sorrowing in the Garden on Maundy Thursday, and how it wasn't lack of faith, but sorrow over those who would not believe and sorrow over being separated from the Father. Likewise, Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He also wept at the tomb of Lazarus. Pastor pointed out that Jesus knew that He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, but still He wept.

We tend to think it's good to be tough in the face of death or other grief. We talk approvingly about the widow who doesn't cry during the funeral. We want people to "get over it" quickly. But what is this mystery that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, mourned ... even when He knew that Lazarus would be reunited with Him in a few minutes? I appreciated Pastor's firm reminders that people should be allowed to grieve at their own pace, and not be told that their grief is taking too long and that they should get on with life already. Whether it's death or some other loss that devastates a person, it only makes it worse to be told that "you're taking too long to get over this."