For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16, NIV

 

Mary and Martha wept for their brother, Lazarus; Jesus also wept for him, even though He knew He would soon walk out of the grave; Jesus wept for Jerusalem, and the destruction that would overtake this sacred city; yet He didn’t weep with, or for, Mary Magdalene weeping at His tomb. He knew it wasn’t necessary – He just said her name ...

 

Have you ever grieved over something that was lost, broken, or destroyed – perhaps through your own fault? Maybe it was the loss of someone you loved; or a time of life to which you could never return – or thought you couldn’t – a lost precious opportunity, impossible to regain. Or maybe it was the realisation of how grievous your sin is, and believed you couldn’t expect God to forgive you.

 

God knows the world that He created, and grieves over its sin, just as a parent grieves over a wayward child.

 

God sees the global hostilities that cast deep gloom and uncertainty over the world, as people are confronted, daily, by the horror of what’s happening in countries, besides their own, as scenes of destruction bombard their living rooms, and rash, arrogantly irresponsible threats and hypocrisy of world leaders rudely invade their space.

 

God sees the horrendous gender-based violence, crimes against children, and gang warfare, besides the ever-present corruption, drug abuse, and related crimes.

 

God sees when a seventeen-year-old boy pleads guilty to killing three little girls, aged six to nine – and attempting to murder ten more – at a holiday club, and the increasing disregard in younger and younger children for the sanctity of human life.

 

God sees how easily shady websites lure them with aggressive, dehumanising visuals and games that manipulate their young minds with darkness; and their easy-to-access weapons.

 

Our verse today is essentially God’s heart, speaking out of His amazing love and sacrifice for His children, reaching out with immeasurable mercy and compassion to a world still lost in sin and pain; love that gives its all: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, ESV) He sends His own Son, Jesus, the only perfect sacrifice, to “lay down his life” for humankind “that whoever believes in Him" shall not die, “but have eternal life.”

 

Jesus weeps for you, and for me, as we weep. Has He spoken your name?

 

Prayer: Dearest Father, there is no-one like You, magnificent in power, wondrous in splendour and rich in grace. I praise You that You are sovereign, all-powerful, and that no-one is beyond Your reach. Thank you for the rich love and grace You offer Your children now, and forever. Amen