Jesus Cried

Bible Reading: John 11:32-44

Evan held back tears as he sat down on the porch step beside his best friend. "Teddy was the best cat I ever had." He sniffled. "I'm going to miss him."

Peter nodded. "He was pretty awesome. I'm sorry he died." He nudged his friend's shoulder. "It's okay to cry."

"I'm not crying!" Evan quickly said, his face turning red. He didn't want his friend to think he was being a baby about this.

"It's okay if you are," Peter said. "Even Jesus cried."

Evan's brows knit together. "What?"

"Jesus cried when his friend Lazurus died," Peter said. "My uncle told me about it when my grandma passed away last summer. He said it's okay for everyone to cry when they're sad, even us guys."

Evan wasn't sure he believed his friend, so he asked his dad about it later that evening.

"Peter's right," Dad said. "Jesus did cry. Look, it's here in John eleven." He pointed to a page in his Bible.

Evan looked over his shoulder, his eyes widening at the two words. "Jesus wept," he read.

"It's okay to be sad about your cat, and it's okay to cry." Dad got up from his chair and put an arm around Evan. "There are a lot of sad things going on here on earth."

Evan leaned into his dad. "I miss Teddy."

"I know. I'm sorry," Dad said. "But no matter what happens here on earth, we never have to be sad forever. Do you know why?"

"Because of heaven?" Evan asked.

Dad smiled. "Exactly. Jesus cried because He experienced pain and sadness just like we do. But after He wept for Lazarus, He raised him from the dead! That's the hope He gives everyone who trusts in Him--hope of eternal life. Even though all kinds of sad things happen here on earth, Jesus will one day put an end to sin, sadness, and even death itself."

Evan blinked back tears. "We won't have to be sad anymore?"

"Nope." Dad squeezed his shoulder. "Because everything will be perfect. And I'm sure God will help you feel happy again before then too. But for now, it's okay to cry about Teddy when you miss him."

–Bethany Acker