Feeling Sad?

Can Jesus relate to you when you feel sad? | Random Thoughts | Jesus Christ | Christianity

Sad Jesus (AI generated by Substack)

Sometimes Sadness Sits Awhile

The Night Owl Christian’s nest this past week, has been like a cave for hibernating bears. Husband and I have been cocooning in our comfy chairs, immersed in long, quiet moments to reflect. Yes, it’s winter when hibernation happens, but this past week, two events occurred that make snuggling in our comfy chairs and being quiet the right choice for a brief season.

First, the hubs’s extended family lost two matriarchs. His two aunts died, one on Friday (Jan. 3rd), and the other the following Monday (Jan. 6th). Both were very senior in age and their bodies worn out from health issues, but their deaths so close together took everyone by surprise. We’re especially grateful for Aunt Linda, his mother’s younger sister. She made sure two awkward teenagers still in high school met and got to know each other one summer. (The rest is history, and we’ll celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary this spring.)

The second event is the Los Angeles-area fires in southern California, where we both were born and raised during some of the best decades in the region. We have been “doom scrolling” on our mobile devices to read the latest about the many fires, the arsonists, and the looters. We have gasped in horror and cried when we learned of special, precious places from our youth that are now nothing but ashes. We have mourned with those who lost loved ones in the fires. And, I’ve been texting almost daily with my childhood friend to share news, updates, and warnings.

Dear readers, maybe you’ve had a week (or weeks) of sad news. Maybe you’re experiencing things directly that cause deep sadness inside you.

You and I can take comfort in this…

Jesus: A Man of Sorrows and Acquainted with Grief

Our King of kings and Lord of lords is our refuge when we feel sad. He experienced deep sadness while on Earth, and we most certainly can pour out our sorrow and grief on His mighty shoulders. Here are a few verses about Emmanuel’s humanity during His first advent. The verses are probably very familiar to you, but it’s good to remind ourselves that Jesus, truly God and truly human, felt what we feel when we’re sad.

John 11:35 (BSB)
Jesus wept.
[Read about this event in John 11, ESV]

The Greek word used here is ἐδακρυσα (edakrysen), which is a verb indicating a moment of deep emotional response. Unlike other Greek terms for weeping that might suggest loud wailing, "edakrysen" implies a more subdued, personal expression of grief. This choice of word highlights the genuine compassion and empathy of Jesus. His tears are not just for Lazarus, but for the pain and suffering of humanity as a whole. Historically, this moment is profound because it shows that Jesus, though divine, fully participates in the human experience, including sorrow and loss. This verse, the shortest in the Bible, powerfully conveys the depth of Christ's love and His willingness to enter into our suffering. It serves as a reminder that in our moments of grief, we are not alone; Jesus is with us, sharing in our pain and offering comfort.
from BibleHub.com, study on John 11 (near bottom of page)

Luke 19:41 (BSB)
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
[Read verses 41-44, ESV]

The Greek word for "wept" is ἔκλαυσεν (eklausen), which indicates a deep, heartfelt sobbing. This is one of the few instances in the Gospels where Jesus is recorded as weeping, showing His profound compassion and sorrow. His tears are not for Himself but for the city and its people, who are blind to the peace and salvation He offers. This moment echoes the heart of God throughout Scripture, who desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Jesus' weeping is a powerful expression of divine love and lament over the lost opportunities for Jerusalem to embrace its Messiah.
from BibleHub.com, study on Luke 19 (near bottom of page)

Hebrews 5:7 (BSB)
During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
[Read verses 1-7, ESV]

This vivid description captures the intensity and emotional depth of Jesus' prayers. The "loud cries" (κραυγῆς - kraugēs) and "tears" (δακρύων - dakryōn) indicate a profound level of anguish and earnestness, reminiscent of His prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-39). It reveals Jesus' full engagement with human emotion and suffering, emphasizing His genuine humanity.
from BibleHub.com, study on Hebrews 5 (near bottom of page)

Hebrews 4:15 (BSB)
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.
[Read chapter 4, all verses, ESV]

The word "sympathize" comes from the Greek συμπαθέω (sumpatheo), meaning to suffer with or to have compassion. This highlights the profound truth that Jesus, though divine, fully understands human frailty. The term "weaknesses" (ἀσθένεια - astheneia) refers to human limitations and moral frailty. This phrase assures believers that Jesus is not distant or detached from our struggles; rather, He intimately understands and shares in our human experience.
from BibleHub.com, study on Hebrews 4 (near bottom of page)

Maranatha, come (again) Lord Jesus.

Soli Deo Gloria!

If you’re a not-yet follower of Jesus Christ, please come along on this journey with us. You are welcome here.

And, I invite you to read my series on the book “What Does God Want?”.

Conversation & Community

Your Turn

Feel free to share your sadness here, so we can pray for you.

If you’re on the other side of a season of sadness, praise God! Share with us how you and the Lord walked that journey together. How did He encourage you?

As always, feel free to send me an email:

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