Closer than a Brother; Savior like no Other

For all the times I've doubted. For all the times I've wondered. Could Jesus really empathize? Does God really understand? This pain I bear is far too personal. The loss I face is out of his reach. It's too foreign to His Holiness and His Kind nature. How could He ever relate or comprehend? 

And then there's this story. One of intimacy between friends. One that depicts the humanness of a God who came to this earth to not only save us, but to walk side by side of us when we have come to our wit's end and have no where else to turn but to Him. His name, Jesus. A friend, closer than a brother. A savior like no other.

Jesus, God in the form of a man, for the sake of relating with us in an intimate level, and still majestic enough to be the savior we are all in need of.  

Jesus, in this story, is found teaching the word of God when he receives news that his friend Lazarus was very ill. "Lord, the one you love is sick". This was the message sent to Jesus from Mary and Martha, sisters to Lazarus. 

Jesus'  response? “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 

And with that, he made it a point to wrap up what he was doing and go see his friend in person. When he finally got there, he was greeted by two very distraught sisters who let Jesus know their brother had died.  “Lord, if you had been here (the one said), my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”-- John 11

Jesus wept! The savior of the world wept. The one and only son of God cried. He experienced the human agony of loss and grief, and he felt empathy for those who were suffering as well. More importantly, he wept because He was a true friend, closer than a brother, and savior like no other.  

For those of you who are not familiar with this story, I won't spoil the ending because I just want to focus on this part. The part that tells me personally that Jesus can empathize. He is familiar with loss, pain, and suffering. And moreover, He doesn't stay far a way when we are in dire need. 

So I leave you with this. For every time you've doubted, wondered, and pondered. Could Jesus really know me? Does He see me or hear me? Better yet, does He also cry for me when He knows of my losses, pain and suffering? Now, I know I'm not Lazarus nor his grieving sisters, and I would never compare myself to any of them.  However, this girl has had a time or two of great suffering and pain.  And I can't help but think of a time not too long ago, when this girl laid flat on the floor seeking comfort that could not be felt. And this here girl, picked herself up, knelt on the floor, and begged Jesus to cover her with His warm comfort. I asked Him to be the one to literally hold my body and warmly comfort it, knowing there was no one else able to do it.

And guess what? He showed up. I don't know how else to describe it other than I knew He was not only listening to my tearful plea, but I felt His embrace all around me. I felt the warm comfort I was longing for. And more importantly, I felt His empathy and kindness toward me. He held me. Like a friend; like a brother and as my savior.