Jesus wept. John 11:35 (NIV)
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain:
or the former things are passed away
Revelation 21:4 (KJV)
At the beginning of this advent season, it is easy to take a birth for granted. That reality was challenged by the news of a stillbirth to a dear Kenyan family and community. Words were inadequate to express our condolences for their loss and the distance we felt from their reality.
The stillbirth news arrived after a “deep dive” into more current theological understanding of the healings of Jesus. “Stillbirths” are a missing part of that extensive theological review. Our common language is challenged as to how we describe these “darkness” events.
This stillbirth was a reminder of the challenge to my understanding of the nature of healing and the promises of advent. With advent, we are reminded that a new light will appear and of a time when tears are no more.
May those who mourn this season of advent see the light in another healing birth.
Marvin
References
And Jesus Wept
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/And_Jesus_Wept
Henriksen, J.-O., & Sandnes, K. O. (2016). Jesus as Healer. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
Hage, M. L., Tetel-Hanks, J., & Bushyhead, A. (1992). When the Bough Breaks--the Blalock’s Story. Duke University Medical Center.
Hage, J (2011) “The God that Weeps” Sermon delivered at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church on 7/11/2011
