With humanitarian emergencies in Syria, South Sudan, Gaza and now Iraq, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of human suffering in our world. And that’s not to mention the ongoing poverty and injustice that millions throughout the developing world face each day just trying to eke out a living.

When I think about the scale of need and suffering I am often drawn to John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”

Within just these two words is a profound statement about Jesus’ humanity and his solidarity with mankind.

When you understand the context of this verse – Jesus is visiting with close friends Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus who has just died – you see that sickness, suffering and friendship are so important to   Jesus that it causes him to weep.

The fact that the Son of God would be so torn apart by the pain of this world that he would weep is very moving in itself.

This simple statement reminds me that when the people God so carefully created – knitting them together in their mother’s womb – fight and inflict pain on each  other, it causes him pain.

Beyond the sorrow represented in “Jesus wept”, we also see a choice that Jesus made to simply be present in that moment of grief.

He did not turn away from suffering but chose to stare it right in the face and allow himself to be moved by it.

Sometimes as Christians, it’s easier to talk about a God of strength and power and neglect the other faces of God. 

Yet right at the heart of the Christian faith is someone who dies – who loses their life – for solidarity; just to be there with mankind.

When I look at the humanitarian crises currently taking place I find myself thinking that one of the most important things we can do is to be present.

That means being there to deliver emergency assistance and meet physical needs, but also just to be able to say to people, “you matter, we care, and you are not alone.” 

For Christians everywhere, it means upholding our brothers and sisters in prayer and responding financially where we can; taking an example from Jesus to allow ourselves to be moved by their suffering and to commit to standing with them.