Jesus in mourning

Sunday January 23, 2022

Jesus in mourning

He (Herod) sent to behead John in the prison... John's disciples came and took his body and buried him. Then they went to tell Jesus. Matthew 14:10-12

What a sad day that was the burial of John-Baptist ! The harbinger of the Messiah was beheaded by the will of a tyrant manipulated by a corrupt woman. Some of his disciples have the courage to seek his body to bury it piously. And now, what are they left with ? This prophet they followed is no more. It is then that they turn to Jesus, the one whom John announced : Jesus, the Lamb of God.

What pain also for Jesus to learn of the death of the one to whom, some time before, he had borne an exceptional testimony : more than a prophet... none greater has been raised up (Matthew 11:9-11). The perfect man must face the death of someone close to him and his attitude can be an example to believers who are going through mourning.

Hearing of this, Jesus withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded desert place (Matthew 14:13). The first reaction, following a painful separation, is often to seek solitude. It is a normal, healthy attitude, but which should only have a time. Otherwise, you run the risk of keeping your grief and crying over yourself.

(Jesus) saw a great crowd : he had compassion on them and healed their sick (Matthew 14:14). The pain of the Lord does not make him forget others and their needs. He who is gone no longer needs anything ; on the other hand, those around us can suffer and arouse our compassion. Going through suffering yourself helps to better understand that of others.

He went up the mountain apart to pray (Matthew 14:23). This sorrow, Jesus does not keep it for himself, but exposes it to his God. The Father of mercies knows how to comfort us in all our affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3,4). Let us pour out our pain freely before him !

It is true that Jesus was God, he was perfect, he knew that one day he would raise John-Baptist... That's right, but let's not erase the humanity of our Lord : the one who learned of the martyrdom of John-Baptist, the one who wept at the tomb of Lazarus, is the one who can sympathize with us, for he himself suffered (Hebrews 2:18). Let us have the same sensitivity as Jesus in the face of the trials of our brothers and sisters.

Source (Pleasing the Lord)