Meeting the Groom in a Broken World
This question is often born in childhood.
A parent dies. A foundation is shattered. Faith is never explained, only assumed. Scripture does not dismiss this pain. It meets it.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
“A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.” (Psalm 68:5)
Jesus Himself stood at a graveside and wept, not because resurrection was impossible, but because love feels loss deeply.
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
God does not rush grief just because He knows the ending.
He enters it.
We Do Not Have a Distant God
Christian faith is not built on the idea that God stands safely removed from human pain. Scripture tells us the opposite:
“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 felt anguish so intense that His sweat became like drops of blood. He cried out in a moment of abandonment. He experienced injustice without retaliation.
This means something vital for the wounded soul:
You can bring your pain to Jesus without explanation or pretense; He already understands it.
Religion Rejects. Jesus Invites.
Many people confuse religion with relationship. Religion demands performance. Religion protects image. Religion often rejects the hurting.
Jesus does the opposite.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12)
Not servants. Not outsiders. Children.
This is adoption language, family language.
“You did not receive a spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” (Romans 8:15)
What was lost on earth is not lost forever. What was never given can still be received.
For Those Missing Family This Holiday Season
Scripture does not force cheer where grief exists.
“There is a time to weep and a time to mourn.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4)
God does not shame sorrow. He promises restoration.
“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.” (Revelation 21:4)
Grief exists because love existed. God honors that love.
Come and See the Groom
You do not need all the answers to come to Jesus. You only need to see who He is.
Rejected, but loving.
Wounded, but faithful.
Sorrowful, but redeeming.
The question is not whether the world is broken. The question is whether the Groom can be trusted within it. And Scripture answers that gently, clearly, and consistently:
Yes.
Reflection Questions
What experiences have shaped your view of God’s character?
In what ways have people misrepresented Jesus to you?
How does knowing Jesus understands suffering change how you view Him?
What does the idea of adoption—not religion—stir in your heart?
Where might Jesus be inviting you to “come and see” rather than fully understand?
Closing Prayer
Father,
For those who come to You carrying wounds instead of words, meet them gently. Reveal Jesus, not as religion, not as condemnation, but as the Groom who knows rejection, grief, and pain. Heal distorted images formed by broken people. Draw the hurting into truth without force, and into love without fear. Teach us to trust Your heart even when we do not understand Your ways.
In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
