6/6/2020 - Jesus Wept

“Jesus wept” John 11:35

I am so tired and exhausted, and not just because I am writing this at 2 am. I am tired and exhausted because of the state of this country.  At this point, after several posts, I am probably casting pearls to swine; but God told me to talk so I am going to talk.

I just got back from having a few beers with the boys and it is dark and quiet on the back roads of the Palisades Parkway as I listen to Joseph Solomon’s new podcast (https://pod.link/1493429809), and I got to thinking and reflecting. The past few days have been insane, every time I open up any kind of social media platform it is always something new. The truth verses the narrative, more deaths, hate, ignorance, if you can think of it it’s on there. It is disgusting, and I don’t know what to do. I feel like I have a calling to lead in all of this, but I don’t know where and how (pray for your boy). I don’t know if the devil is playing with me with the fact that that I should be screaming right next to my brothers and sisters or stay silent and out of the way because “white people have already done enough” (which is beyond true) and let my brothers and sisters grieve in peace. I don’t know if I should take a break from social media since my mental is wearing, but I got a couple more videos coming and I love posting these devotional blogs (probably will either right after this, or after this week).

While listening to Joe’s podcast I was thinking about all of this, and this verse came to me (John 11:35). It just kept repeating. “Jesus wept, Jesus wept, Jesus wept,” over and over again. If you didn’t guess and know, this is what Jesus did; he wept. This is something he did, and this is something that he is doing. Jesus isn’t happy and he isn’t pleased. Jesus is sad and full of grief the same way that we are. 

Jesus came to this earth not only to save the earth and bring redemption, but to do this in human form, in the flesh. God sent his begotten Son to this earth to die the death we deserved. He did this because we weren’t listening to his people. So, he was like “fine, let me come down there and fix it myself.” There are so many incredible things about this, with him coming in the flesh. He came looking like us, grew up like this, went through temptations like us, went through and experienced the same emotions as us.

We serve a loving God full of grace and full of mercy. He wants nothing but the best for us. When we are happy, he is happy. When we are mad, he is mad. When we are sad, he is sad. When we grieve, he grieves. When we mourn, he mourns. When we weep, he weeps. This is the God that we serve.

Just 2 weeks ago, BRO 2 WEEKS AGO! We couldn’t even finish the month since my post “Reality of Love” (https://www.vertedartwork.com/the-flying-truth/5112020-reality-of-love) and my video “Love Every Human” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DroeHNir3gs&t=4s) where I talked about the ruthless murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Now I’m back to talk about 2 more ruthless murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd (and more coming daily). It is crazy, we barely had time to mourn Ahamud before two beautiful, highly respected individuals were murdered in cold blood not because of a crime, but simply because of the color of their skin.

February 2018, I was moved and guided by God to start the research and building of a book, The Promised Land. This is a book inspired by Aaron Cole’s song called “Promised Land” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ig2xTAexDY). And to sum it up is that I was tired of what I was seeing and wanted to put a big work of research out there to educate others, and to tell the world that it doesn’t matter the color of our skin, we all get to the Promised Land together. What is sickening is that this was over a year ago and it is still relevant. It is truly sickening. What is worse that it probably won’t be out for another year and I pray that it won’t, but we all know it probably will, still be relevant.

This is beyond state. This is beyond America. These deaths have sparked a worldwide uproar. Let those voices scream loud!

Dear white people, from a white guy, sit down and shut up. You are no better than the next person because of the color of your skin. I don’t care what your parents told you, the history books told you, but I hate to break it to you but you’re not. #AllLivesMatter is protest to a protest. Some of you have “good intentions”, but still are blinded by your pride, fear and ignorance. If you’re asking the “what ifs”, “let all the info come out first”, etc.; saying the “but” to #BlackLivesMatter you are part of the problem. It shouldn’t matter when a person’s life was taken. If you go and protest, do it peacefully (because we all know you are throwing the 1st brick). Systematic and Institutionalized racism and oppression is real. White privilege is real. Racial profiling is real. It started with us, but it’s going to end with all of us. Hear out your brothers and sisters of color. They are hurting. Don’t judge or say anything, listen and weep with them. If you got nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all. If you’re not going to help, sit down and shut up. If you disagree, I’m sorry, but you’re part of the problem. Sincerely a white man that is tired of weeping alongside his brothers and sisters.

Jesus when his friend, Lazarus, died he mourned and wept alongside Mary, Martha and the rest of the people present. He heard their cries. He listened to them grieve, he was with them. The same way he is now. He hears our cries; he is listening to our grievances and he is right next to us always. This is the same way that we have to be. No matter where you are from, what your nationality, creed, color, gender, sexuality, and/or religious background this is what we have to do. It is in our humanistic nature to mourn and grieve when there is loss. Do so.

Especially if you call yourself a Christian this is something you need to be doing. You are preaching and living a false Gospel. Jesus would be front and center at those marches. If you’re not, you’re acting like a Pharisee and your heart is so hard and your eyes are so blind to the fact that your brothers and sisters are being murdered over the color of their skin. Mourn and grieve with your brothers and sisters, it is what your God would have done, and it is what he is doing.

Dear brothers and sisters that don’t look like me. I know my words don’t mean much in this time of exhaustion, grievance and mourning. However, with all I have, I am sorry. I am sorry that this is a reality, a reality painted by people that look like me with the blood of the people that look like you. But I stand with you. I fight with you. I mourn with you. I weep with you. This is a war for love, peace, and equality and I am on your side. We will get through this together. Need me, I am here. If you have to check me, check me. If you need me to fall back, I will fall back. You need me on the front line, I will be on the front line. I love you. You’re beautiful. I am thankful and honored to call you brothers and sisters. Sincerely Christopher Michael Colotti.

“I know some of you are tired, I know some of you are weary, but I got good news for you. There is a rest for the people of God, and that rest is the promised land. And I believe that we are all going to get there together.”

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9)

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)