Grief

The short answer

Jesus knew he was about to raise Lazarus, and he still wept at the tomb. Grief is not a lack of faith.

He called those who mourn blessed, and he promised they would be comforted.

In the Gospels

1. John 11:32–36

   At Lazarus’s tomb

   Mary falls at his feet: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus is deeply moved, and weeps with her.

   Read John 11:32–36

   ³² Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” ³³ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, ³⁴ and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!”

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   Jesus Raises Lazarus, scene by scene on Free Scripture→

2. Luke 7:11–15

   A widow’s son

   Jesus meets a funeral procession for a widow’s only son. Before anything else, he feels for her and says, “Don’t cry.”

   Read Luke 7:11–15

   ¹¹ Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. ¹² Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said to her, “Don’t cry.” ¹⁴ He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” ¹⁵ He who was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother.

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   The Widow of Nain, scene by scene on Free Scripture→

3. Matthew 5:4

   Those who mourn

   In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus names mourners among the blessed.

   Read Matthew 5:4

   ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

   World English Bible, public domain. The whole chapter on Free Scripture → · Read in the NRSVue, the ELCA’s standard translation →

   The Beatitudes, scene by scene on Free Scripture→