[The Mayor]

August 28, 2004

A Time To Cry

Read: John 11:1-7,32-36

Jesus wept. —John 11:35

Bible In One Year: Psalms 123-125; 1 Corinthians 10:1-18

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My father (Richard De Haan) had been battling a debilitating disease for many years. We asked the Lord to take him home. But as I knelt by his bed and watched him take that last breath, the tears I had choked back on other occasions came out like a flood. As my brothers and my mother hugged and prayed, the finality was overwhelming.

That event helped me understand the significance of the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept" (John 11:35). God the Son wept! He knew the reality of heaven. He was the source of all hope of a future day of resurrection. And yet, Jesus cried. He loved His friends Mary and Martha and Lazarus so much that "He groaned in the spirit and was troubled" (v.33). Jesus truly felt their heartache.

When someone we love dies, we struggle with a wide range of emotions. If a young person dies, we ask "Why?" When death comes after long-term suffering, we struggle to understand why the Lord waited so long to bring relief. We begin to think of God as distant, untouched by our sorrow. We may question His wisdom or His goodness. Then we read, "Jesus wept." God is deeply touched by our anguish.

When a painful situation invades your life, remember the Bible's shortest verse. Jesus shed tears too. —Kurt De Haan

One year ago today, Kurt De Haan,
managing editor of Our Daily Bread for 13 years,
was reunited with his father when God called him Home.
(March 29, 1953-August 28, 2003)

If you doubt that Jesus cares, remember His tears.

[JustAmy]

8-28-04
Graphic by Billie

Remember how I walked away,
On tiny feet, my first school day?
With tiny hands I waved goodbye,
And I saw the tear in the corner of your eye.
But you were brave and so was I.
We both tried hard not to cry.

My little feet carried me to school.
I remember your saying, "Now obey every rule!"
My little hands opened the heavy school door.
Everywhere I looked, there were kids galore.
I went down the hall to the big red "1".
There was Mrs. LaBoon to show me the way.

We made a big family, Mrs. LaBoon, the "Mother".
With a family this large, we had to help each other.
I've tried hard to listen throughout the whole year.
So when I'm in second grade, I'll have nothing to fear.
The muscles in my hands are now much stronger.
And even my feet look a whole lot longer.

On the last day of school, as we all wave goodbye,
Do you s'pose Mrs. LaBoon will have a tear in her eye?
It really has been a happy school year.
And if it weren't for you, Mom and Dad,
I just wouldn't have been here!!

~Author Unknown~

[JustAmy]

Rus, Thank your for bringing the coffee and Daily Bread this morning.

Though we understand why you can't be here everyday, we still miss you.

Have a great Saturday and a beautiful Sunday.