Jesus Wept: Finding Comfort in a Savior Who Grieves With Us

Have you ever been so consumed by grief that you couldn’t even speak a word—only groans came out? Deep sorrow can steal your voice. It can make forming a prayer feel impossible.

And yet, Scripture gives us a powerful glimpse of a Savior who understands this very ache:

“Jesus wept.” –John 11:35 (CSB)

The Deep Weight of Grief

Grief can feel like emptiness, longing, numbness, or a punch in the gut. It's not just sadness—it can also bring anger, fear, anxiety, or confusion. Often, we find ourselves mourning what we thought life would be: the dream that didn't come true, the relationship that ended, the diagnosis that altered everything.

But here’s the good news: Jesus enters grief.

The Story Behind the Shortest Verse

In John 11, Jesus receives word that His close friend Lazarus is gravely ill. But instead of rushing to help, He stays where He is for two more days. By the time Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days.

Mary and Martha—Lazarus’ sisters—greet Him with broken hearts.
”Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, CSB), they say.

Jesus sees Mary’s weeping, surrounded by mourning friends, and John 11:33 tells us that He was “deeply moved in His spirit and troubled.”

Then, Jesus wept.

He wept for Lazarus.
He wept for Mary and Martha.
He wept because He loved.

He didn’t rebuke their sorrow or rush past their pain. He sat with them in it.

A God Who Weeps With You

Jesus grieved before He performed the miracle.

He would soon call out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”—and Lazarus would miraculously walk out of the tomb. But first, Jesus chose to enter the ache with them.

That same Jesus grieves with you today.

You Are Not Alone in Your Sorrow

Grief can feel isolating. Like your world has stopped while everyone else moves on. But take heart—God doesn’t promise to remove our grief, but He does promise to walk with us through it.

He draws near to the brokenhearted.
He enters our sorrow, not as a distant God, but as a compassionate Savior.
He understands.

The Hope Beyond Grief

If you’re walking through grief today, remind yourself of this:

God will restore.
He will wipe every tear.
He will mend every heartbreak.
He will remove illness and sin.
He will heal the damage done.

This isn’t the end of the story. You are not alone, sister.
Jesus speaks the language of tears.

Prayer

God, I don’t understand why You’ve allowed me to feel such deep, painful grief.
This hurts my heart—would You be near me today and in the days to come?
Catch my tears. Heal my heart. Provide peace and comfort that only You can give.
I believe that even in grief and longing, You grieve with us—and You restore hope when it feels like all hope is lost.
Help me look forward to the coming resurrection and the glory that will be revealed on that beautiful day.

Amen.

Reflect

Write a letter of lament to God. Begin with, “God, here is my heart…” Don’t hold anything back. He can handle your honesty.
What do you need to acknowledge and release to God today?
What are you carrying that feels too heavy to hold alone?

Scripture to Meditate On

“He said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.’” – Matthew 26:38
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18