Words to Live By:

Many of us recognize these words as John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible. It is also a very powerful statement. Jesus went to the home of his friends, Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Lazarus had died and his sisters were grieving. Jesus was deeply moved by their grief, and as they approached the tomb, “Jesus wept.” We have a God who understands our sorrow and tears. Jesus meets us in our despair and pain. This does not answer all our questions or erase our heartbreak, but the scriptures provide a promise---that God understands our grief and wants to comfort us. Revelation 21 offers hope in this description of God’s kingdom at the end of time. “Look, God’s home in now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:3-4) Words of hope to sustain us now. May God bless your week! Diane Cooke, Pastor, Presbyterian Churches, Willow Springs and Mtn. View.