Really Good Grief – Katy Foster
The devastating news came to Jesus--John had been killed. Perhaps you have already experienced the bolt of pain and grief that consumes you when someone you love dies. The feeling compares to nothing else. Precious beloved, Jesus knows that feeling. He has felt it, too. He was described by Isaiah as “A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3 NKJV). He knows how it feels, and He sees you and is with you.
Jesus, in His grief and by Himself, rows a small boat across the lake. Perhaps thinking of times with John growing up, remembering a peaceful, beautiful place they had once discovered as teenage boys. Perhaps Jesus was going there. It is also possible that the angels glided His boat across the water to this deserted place. Here is where the Son of God, our Savior, grieved, cried, and prayed all by Himself.
Jesus, in the form of man, felt the toll on His physical body from grief and needed rest.
During His time of grief, a tragedy had occurred in Israel and several people chose to seek Him. Was Jesus angry? Did He respond, “Get away from Me! Leave Me alone!”? Not at all. His response was fit for a Savior.
In His pain, Jesus helped others. Jesus served the grieving apostles, healed the sick, and performed a miracle by feeding five thousand, despite His own broken heart. His own sorrow was filled with goodness by doing good.
Dear Heavenly Father, in our discouragement, send someone in our path today for us to encourage, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Katy Foster, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, homeschool mom of three, and author of From a Boy to a Godly Man series. Contact |
