On October 3^rd, 2009 I sat 2 rows behind my older brother at his 21 year old son's funeral. I did not know my nephew very well. We live in Florida. My brother's family lives in Ohio and we seldom see one another. Generally, as is the case in many families, that which brings us together is a death or tragedy. As I saw the tears flowing down my brother's face I had an endless fountain of tears myself, a dull ache in my stomach and a knot the size of a grapefruit in my throat. I didn't bring nearly enough handkerchiefs.

My nephew died at his own hand. All of us were shocked and saddened by the tragic event. Much of my sadness however was for my brother. As I said, I did not know nephew very well and really did not have a relationship with him other than being an “uncle in Florida.” I have children of my own, however. My oldest son is only 2 years younger than my nephew. I began to reflect upon my own family and in so doing realized very keenly the pain my brother must be enduring. Much of my weeping was for him. I wept because he wept.

Sometime during the funeral the words of John 11:35 came to my mind. This is the shortest verse in the Bible, but its meaning hit me like an anvil. "Jesus wept." Now I know why. I have always understood this verse academically and intellectually. Now I understand it in my gut. I love my brother and ache for him and what he is enduring. Jesus loved Mary and Martha. His weeping was for them. He knew full and well that soon Lazarus would come to life and walk out of the tomb. Why then should He weep? He wept because Mary and Martha were weeping. His heart ached because their hearts ached. His tears flowed because their tears were flowing.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) Jesus feels our pains and our sorrows. The Hebrew writer states it explicitly and the words of in John 11:35 demonstrate it vividly. The conclusion of the Hebrew writer is that since Jesus feels our pain we should go to him for His mercy and grace in time of need. Could there be any greater time of need than this? Indeed not.

We sometimes sing this hymn. Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye To the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks, Is it aught to Him? Does He see? O yes, He cares- I know He cares! His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, The long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares. How do I know He cares? How do I know that His heart aches and is touched deeply with the pain my brother is enduring? How can I say “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares”? I can say it and I can sing it because Jesus wept.