Yeshua met me in my place of sorrow

As many believers of YHVH celebrated the first three biblical feasts as instructed in the book of Leviticus I could not help but wander into the New Testament and re-read the story of Yeshua’s crucifixion. Many of us believers stand in awe of what Yeshua did and His sacrifice to fulfill prophecy and allow us to enter into eternal life. But not a lot of thought goes into the people Yeshua left behind after His death.

We all see Yeshua as a godly being - which He is - but we often forget that Yeshua became flesh and bone - a human! 'And the Word became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favour and truth.' - Yoḥanan (John) 1:14 (The Scriptures Translation). Yeshua being human meant that He had human experiences just like us. He had friends and human family here on earth. Loved ones that not only kept Him close to their hearts but Yeshua kept them close to His heart while He dwelt amongst them.

The crucifixion in itself was witnessed by all Yeshua’s loved ones, some stood by Him through it all, whilst others denied their connection to Him. But one special friend of Yeshua caught my attention during the season of Pesach and that was Miryam from Maḡdala (or Mary Magdalene as she is commonly know).

'But Miryam was standing outside by the tomb weeping. Then as she wept, she stooped down to the tomb, and saw two messengers in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of יהושע had been laid. And they said to her, “Woman, why do you weep?” She said to them, “Because they took away my Master, and I do not know where they laid Him.” And having said this, she turned around and saw יהושע standing, but she did not know that it was יהושע. יהושע said to her, “Woman, why do you weep? Whom do you seek?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said to Him, “Master, if You have carried Him away, say to me where You put Him, and I shall take Him away.”' - Yoḥanan (John) 20:11-15

Grief took Miryam to the tomb, not because she remembered the prophecy of the resurrection or that she believed that there would be a miracle. She went to the tomb because it was the last place she saw Yeshua. And when she saw the stone covering the tomb rolled away she had an overflow of emotions; not only did she lose Yeshua (as a friend) but she lost the place where her memory met her sorrow. The ache of another loss on top of the first loss left her undone and all she could do was weep. How wonderful was it that she could be consoled by Yeshua himself? Yeshua did not rush her sorrow. He did not tell her to ‘’get over yourself’’. Yeshua met her in her weeping! He bore witness to her grief. He asked questions to honour her heart. He did not rebuke her for not recognizing the resurrection. He was slow in approach and made space for Miryam’s tears. This all before He revealed Himself to her and called her by name.

You know what? That is the tenderness of Yeshua! He isn't uncomfortable with your pain. He is not far, He does not wait around for you to become more faithful, more composed or at peace. He draws close when you are undone and names you within the place where memory meets sorrow.

Know that your grief is the place where Yeshua seeks to comfort you. Show up raw, vulnerable and ‘not okay’ and allow Yeshua to meet you there in your place where memory meets sorrow - He is already there waiting for you. Stop faking it till you make it, allow your heart the space to feel all the feelings you want to feel. Allow space for your grief and allow Yeshua to pick you up and call you by name within that space. Lean on His voice and the promises He has made over your life.