Jesus Holds Us Up
"Jesus wept." -- John 13:35
I heard the sirens first. One ambulance raced through the intersection. Then another came, followed by a state trooper. The sirens' echo dimmed for a moment, then more sirens filled the late afternoon night. Two sheriff's department vehicles. An unmarked trooper SUV. A fire truck. A paramedic truck. A short time later the thump-thump of a medi-vac helicopter.
The telephone brought news. A speeding driver lost control of his vehicle and it hit a power pole. Two people were in critical condition. "We are all just a phone call from our knees." I think I first heard that in a song but honestly I don't remember. The phrase has stayed with me. Its simple truth resonates through me as I pray for the accident victims and their families.
Our lives can all change in an instance. I know what it's like to get that phone call. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But in that instance when your world forever changes, there is One who grabs hold of you as you fall to your knees in agony. It is a strength that carries you through the days and weeks to come.
I pray those two victims will be okay. Certainly, there will be recovery time and healing. I hope this accident brings them closer to God. I pray they reached out and cried for Jesus in those moments before emergency workers arrived. I hope they and their families lean on Him in the days and weeks to come.
This verse is the shortest in the Bible. Jesus' friend Lazarus had died. Of course, we know that moments after "Jesus wept," He called out to His Father and Lazarus emerged alive from the tomb. But in those first moments after He arrived at the tomb, Jesus grieved for His friend. His let us see His compassion and love. It's something we can feel today as He wraps us in His embrace.
Jesus is there with us no matter what the future brings our way. That's the one thing we can hold on to when this uncertain world hurls out of control around us.
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