Podcast Summary: Church of the Highlands — Sunday Messages — "Jesus Wept"

Date: October 19, 2025
Series: The Goodness of God (Week 7)
Speaker: A (Senior Pastor)

Episode Overview

This message explores how believers can experience the goodness of God amid suffering, using the story of Lazarus’ resurrection in John 11 as the central text. The sermon addresses common questions about why suffering happens, God’s role in our pain, how to hold onto faith during trials, and the significance of Jesus’ own grief — captured in the shortest verse of the Bible: “Jesus wept.” Practical steps are offered for those currently experiencing suffering, emphasizing both biblical truth and the nearness of Jesus in times of pain.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Series Context & Introduction to Suffering

• The sermon is part of a multi-week series on God’s goodness, focusing today on suffering.
• Suffering is framed as inevitable in human experience (“Suffering is a part of what we are, what we're going to face here on earth in this life.” [05:49]).
• The Bible addresses suffering broadly so everyone can find God’s comfort in their unique pain.
• Personal and vicarious suffering (such as when our children or loved ones hurt) are both acknowledged.

2. Foundational Truths about Suffering and God

• God is Not the Cause of Our Suffering ([16:08])

  • Suffering entered the world because of sin, not because God causes it (Romans 5 reference).
  • God initiated a rescue mission, culminating in Jesus’ death and resurrection, overcoming sin but not yet removing all suffering (“We are still living on a fallen earth, but we have redemption.” [20:11])

• We Live Between the Already and the Not Yet ([22:10])

  • We’re redeemed by Christ, have His Spirit, but still inhabit a fallen world until full restoration (“Already and not yet: Free from sin's penalty, yet we still feel sin's pull.” [23:36])
  • Illustration: WWII’s D-Day (victory is certain, but not fully realized until V-Day).

• Suffering Will Not Be Wasted — God Redeems Pain ([27:46])

  • Christianity is unique in viewing suffering as redemptive.
  • “Christianity says suffering is redemptive. We do not deny the pain or glorify it. We believe God transforms it.” [30:38]
  • Romans 8:28 is cited as a memory verse for enduring suffering: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who’ve been called according to his purpose.” [31:53]
  • Suffering is distinct from punishment; in Christ, we are under grace, not wrath ([29:40]).

• God’s Timing Is Not Our Timing ([34:17])

  • Jesus’ delay in going to Lazarus is highlighted. “God’s timing and suffering rarely matches our timing.” [38:35]
  • Sometimes, even when we are loved and suffering is known, God waits, inviting us to trust Him.
  • Isaiah 55: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…” ([41:05])
  • “At the same time”—the tension of being loved by God, suffering, and not seeing immediate answers ([39:40]).

3. Practical Walkthrough of John 11: Jesus and Lazarus

• Community is Essential in Suffering ([44:22])

  • Citing Thomas’s loyalty: “Who needs some Thomases in that context in your life? Not the doubting kind, the ride or die kind.” [45:40]
  • The need for small groups and supporting relationships is emphasized, beyond just church programs.

• Martha & Mary’s Encounters with Jesus

  • Two sisters, two responses—both beginning with the same words (“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” [51:10]), but unfolding differently.
  • Jesus gives Martha truth (“I am the resurrection and the life”—John 11:25).
  • Jesus gives Mary tears—He enters her grief, demonstrating empathy and solidarity (“Jesus wept.” [56:32])

4. Three Key Responses to Suffering

• Reach Out to Jesus ([57:48])

  • The first reflex should be reaching out in prayer, just as the sisters sent for Jesus.
  • “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears and delivers.” (Psalm 34:17) [59:21]
  • God may answer: “Yes, wait, or a better way,” but always hears and responds.

• Refuse to Lose Faith in Who Jesus Is ([1:01:33])

  • Both sisters are honest in pain but maintain faith in Jesus’ identity.
  • Faith must be relational, not transactional: “Our faith cannot be just based on, if you’re being a good God, you do good things and you’re good.” [1:03:32]
  • Example: John the Baptist’s doubts and Jesus’ gentle reassurance. Mature faith means trusting God even when His actions confuse us.
    • “Will we follow a God we don’t understand and blessed are all of us if we’re not offended with him?” [1:08:12]

• Receive from Jesus: Both Truth and Compassion ([1:11:21])

  • With Martha, Jesus provides doctrinal truth—something solid to stand on.
  • With Mary, Jesus provides empathetic presence—He “steps fully into her pain.”
  • “He is broken because she is broken. … He gives her truth, He gives her tears.” [1:14:23]
  • Christianity is about both truth and grace, embodied in Jesus’ interactions.

5. The Resurrection: Present and Future Hope

• Jesus raises Lazarus, showing God’s power over death, but Lazarus would die again. The greater miracle is the promise of eternal resurrection and restoration ([1:18:10]).
• “He is coming back from redemption to full restoration… He makes all pain and suffering come untrue. He makes everything new.” [1:19:25]
• The cross is not just comfort for this life, but the guarantee of the “not yet” — full restoration.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God’s empathy:
  “But how good is our God that He would not let her be alone in her suffering for even 10 minutes?” [1:14:03]
• On suffering’s meaning:
  “Christianity says suffering is redemptive. We do not deny the pain or glorify it. We believe God transforms it.” [30:38]
• On honest faith:
  “You’re going to get to know your Lord by faith, or you will not know Him at all.” [1:06:08] (quoting Gene Edwards)
• On timing:
  “Jesus’ timing is perfect… I don’t understand it either. … My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” [41:05]
• Summary of hope:
  “He makes all pain and suffering come untrue. He makes everything new. … If we believe this, we can go through any suffering.” [1:19:25]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–05:49 — Welcome, Series Context, Introduction of Topic
• 16:08–22:10 — God is Not the Cause of Suffering (Original Sin and Redemption)
• 22:10–27:46 — Living in the ‘Already’ and ‘Not Yet’ Tension
• 27:46–34:17 — Suffering is Not Wasted: God’s Redemptive Purpose
• 34:17–41:05 — God’s Timing vs. Our Timing
• 44:22–46:36 — The Power of Christian Community
• 51:10–56:32 — Martha and Mary’s Encounters with Jesus
• 57:48–1:01:33 — Practical Steps: Reach Out to Jesus
• 1:01:33–1:11:21 — Refuse to Lose Faith; Faith in God’s Character
• 1:11:21–1:16:16 — Receive from Jesus: Truth and Tears
• 1:18:10–1:22:00 — The Resurrection: Ultimate Hope & Restoration

Tone and Language

• The message is warm, honest, occasionally humorous, but mostly gentle and empathetic.
• The speaker is pastoral, relatable, and direct—often repeating phrases for clarity (“Come on, somebody”) and inviting physical participation (“Put your hands together”).
• Heavy use of scripture to ground each point.

Final Reflection

This episode delivers a comprehensive, compassionate reflection on God’s goodness in the midst of suffering, emphasizing that while God is not the author of our pain, He is present in it—and will ultimately redeem every tear. Listeners are challenged to reach out to Jesus, hold fast to faith even in confusion, receive both truth and comfort from Him, and live with hope anchored in God’s breathtaking future restoration.

Not sure where to begin in your suffering? The message’s guidance is clear:

• Reach out to Jesus.
• Refuse to lose faith—make it relational, not transactional.
• Receive both the truth and the presence of Christ.

“Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.” [1:20:20]