Jesus Wept: A Devotion Written in Memory of Kelly Anderson

July 28, 2010

Two nights ago came the tragic news that a member of our praise team had died very unexpectnatly and traumatically: The next 24 hours brought inspiration for the below devotional to share with the other members of the Praise Team who loved her so much. I share this here in hopes that it may reach others and bring comfort in similar circumstances.

Jesus Wept: A devotional written in memory of Kelly Anderson

When I heard the news of Kelly’s death I’m sure my heart stopped. The death of a Sistah, was just too unreal to wrap my mind around. I sent an email to the friendship class sharing the sad news and one of the replies to that email was simply “sobbing.” That made me think of the shortest verse in the bible, John 11:35 “Jesus Wept.” Then I began thinking of the story that surrounds that verse, the story of the death of Lazarus.

Let me share parts of that story with you: beginning with verse 17-21:

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
And then picking back up at verse 28 through verse 35:

And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept.

There are several things I think we can glean from this story:
1. In these times we are called to be with the family and to provide comfort for them. The church was gathered at the home of Mary and Martha, comforting them and when Mary left running out the door to meet Jesus they followed her, wanting to be present with her in her time of need and they wept with her.
2. Both Martha and Mary upon seeing Jesus said “If only you had been here.” Many of us are asking that same question. “If only I had encouraged her differently, If only I could have seen, if only……Jesus’ response was he wept. Jesus in all his perfection, wasn’t there didn’t prevent the death. He wept not because he felt guilty. He wept for Mary and Martha, he wept for those who were gathered around Mary and Martha who were weeping. Weeping is an appropriate response. There is not a place for guilt. My friends you were sistahs and brothers to this wonderful, infectious creation of God. I’ve seen you pray with her and pray over her. I’ve seen her do the same. She loved each of you and each of you loved her. You loved her in the way you were led to love and there is nothing you could have done in that moment. Weep, weep for the family, weep for your own loss, but do not feel guilty.
3. We all know the end of this story, Jesus rose Lazarus from the dead. We can’t do that…at least not in the physical sense. But in the spiritual sense we can. We can keep Kelly’s memory alive by picking up her cross and bearing it, by taking an interest in her passions and keeping those passions alive. Share the stories she has shared with you, find out how you can support the celebrate recovery ministry, keep those memories and passions alive and in a sense you are saying “Kelly come forth.”
4. Lastly, Mary and Martha went to Jesus. They went to Jesus with questions and they went to Jesus for comfort. Fall into the arms of Jesus during this time and don’t let go. Remember the song Falling In love with Jesus, remember Kelly’s face as she worshipfully sang this song with you and continue Falling in Love with Jesus. Fall into the protection and safety of his Loving Arms and know that as you weep, so he weeps with you.

I love you all my friends…….May you find a peace that passes all understanding.

The other Kelly