July 30, 2025

Henryetta Free Lance
Login Subscribe Advertisers
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
What makes Jesus weep?
News
February 12, 2025
What makes Jesus weep?

“Lazarus died and he was Jesus’ buddy,” says Samuel, 5.

“Lazarus died and he was Jesus’ buddy,” says Samuel, 5.

We don’t often think of Jesus as having buddies or friends, but he did. From the story in John 11 where a crying Mary meets Jesus to tell him that he could have prevented her brother from dying, we have the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept,” (John 11:35).

“Since Jesus was human, he had human feelings,” says Savannah, 11. “Jesus wept when Lazarus died. Jesus can weep with us.

“When we have problems, Jesus doesn’t guide us around the problems. He goes through them with us. Jesus can weep with us or he can weep when we sin. Jesus loves us no matter what.”

Yes, Jesus loves us no matter what! In a world where reciprocal love is the norm, God’s one-way love is so counterintuitive.

A lot of people think about Jesus in the same way they think about karma. If we obey him, he loves us. If we disobey, he doesn’t love us. What goes around, comes around, right? Wrong!

What goes around is our sin and rebellion against God. What comes around is not the death and separation from God that we deserve. What comes around is God’s grace in offering to us what we do not deserve or earn: eternal life by faith alone in Christ alone.

“Grace and peace” is the way the Apostle Paul starts almost all his New Testament epistles. “Grace is the root of our salvation and peace is the fruit,” said author Tullian Tchvidjian. When Christians walk in the one-way love (grace) that brought them into God’s family, they enjoy God’s peace. They stop looking to people for affirmation of their value.

Instead of self-esteem, it’s God-esteem. What God thinks about you is much more important than people’s changing opinions. All Christians possess a righteousness that is not their own, the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

When Christians receive their value from God, they’re free to give to others without expecting anything in return. Even though all Christians are eternally secure as God’s children, they fail to experience God’s peace when they revert to trying to earn God’s love. Jesus weeps when we try to earn what he gives us freely.

“Jesus was sad because in Romans 12:15, it says, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep,’” says Almea, 11. “Jesus was crying with Mary because he was weeping with those who weep.”

Thank God that we have a compassionate savior! Speaking of the ascended Christ who is on his heavenly throne and praying for his people, the Bible tells us: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin,” (Hebrews 4:15).

Jesus empathizes with our suffering. He suffered more than anyone. The prophet Isaiah predicted that the messiah would be a “man of sorrows” who “carried our sorrows” (Isaiah 53:3-4). We do not have a dispassionate God who can’t understand our suffering.

Even though Jesus knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he wept with Mary. He entered into her sorrow over the death of her brother.

Think about this: Jesus knows our sorrows because he carried them during his ministry and especially on the cross.

Memorize this truth: Hebrews 4:15 previously quoted.

Ask these questions: Are you rejoicing with those who have experienced the liberty of God’s one-way love? Are you weeping over those who are still trying to gain God’s favor by their own efforts?

--- Kids Talk About God is designed for families to study the Bible together. Research shows that parents who study the Bible with their children give their character, faith and spiritual life a powerful boost. To receive Kids Talk About God three times a week in a free, email subscription, visit www.KidsTalkAbout-God.org/email.

© 2025 Carey Kinsolving

A: Main
HPS gears up for new school year
July 30, 2025
As summer winds down, excitement is building across Henryetta as students, families and staff prepare for the 2025-26 school year. Henryetta Public Schools has released its official “Welcome Back” sch...
this is a test
Back-to-School Help for Local Families
A: Main
Back-to-School Help for Local Families
July 30, 2025
As the start of the new school year approaches, two local organizations are stepping up to support Okmulgee County families with much-needed resources. On Saturday, Aug. 2, both the Okmulgee Family YM...
this is a test
A: Main
County Prayer Walk is Saturday
July 30, 2025
An uplifting tradition that brings together communities, churches and schools will once again take place this August as the Okmulgee County Prayer Walk returns for its 9th year. The event is scheduled...
this is a test
A: Main
County addresss insurance, dispatch reorganization
July 30, 2025
A full agenda led to wide-ranging discussions and several key decisions during the July 28 regular meeting of the Okmulgee County Board of Commissioners.Commissioners approved various routine items ea...
this is a test
HEF Fundraiser Underway
A: Main, Main...
HEF Fundraiser Underway
July 30, 2025
James McCullough of the Henryetta Education Foundation (HEF) braved the heat last Friday at the Christmas in July event as he promoted the ongoing HEF fundraiser. HEF will hold a drawing on Monday, Se...
this is a test
News
OCEM Report
July 30, 2025
This report is a summary of activities Okmulgee County Emergency Management participated in and does not reflect all activities performed by or participated in by Okmulgee County Emergency Management....
this is a test

e-Edition
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Fourth suspect arrested in Okmulgee homicide case
News
Fourth suspect arrested in Okmulgee homicide case
July 30, 2025
A fourth individual has been arrested in connection with the July 12 homicide of 25-yearold Devontae Hanson in Okmulgee, as authorities continue to investigate the deadly shooting.On July 24, 33-yearo...
this is a test
July 30 OSUIT Blood Drive |
News
July 30 OSUIT Blood Drive |
July 30, 2025
OSUIT will host a blood drive Wednesday, July 30, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Covelle Hall. Walk-ins are welcome.
this is a test
News
Short and Sweet
July 30, 2025
Psalms 8:3-8 - When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for...
this is a test
What is the lesson of Noah and the Ark?
News
What is the lesson of Noah and the Ark?
July 30, 2025
Noah and the ark, according to Nicole, 8: “Noah had built an ark, and other people did not believe him. He got two of each animal, and then he loaded all of his stuff. It flooded, and he lived.”A chil...
this is a test
Henryetta Celebrates Christmas in July
News
Henryetta Celebrates Christmas in July
July 30, 2025
Downtown Henryetta was alive with holiday spirit, buts lots of summer sunshine last week, as the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce presented its annual “Christmas in July” celebration. There were over 30 ...
this is a test
Facebook

HENRYETTA FREE-LANCE
208 E. Main Street
Henryetta, OK 74437

918.652.3311

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2022 Henryetta Free-Lance

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy