![]() To the same tender and compassionate Savior we may now come, knowing that He will not cast us away. We see in this miracle an instance of the tenderness of the character of Jesus, the same Savior who wept over Jerusalem and felt deeply for others even in their sins. Sorrow at the death of friends is not improper, yet we should not belabor it but help others who grieve to find peace in the God of all consolation. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep” ( Romans 12:15). His weeping does show Him as a compassionate friend, and from this we learn that it is right and natural for us to sympathize with others in their afflictions. He was in complete control of the situation. However, even before Lazarus had died, He knew that He would resurrect Lazarus to glorify His Father and as a sign of His Messiahship ( John 11:4, 15). It is often supposed that Jesus wept only because He had lost a friend to death and because of the deep mourning of Mary and Martha. The word twice translated “weeping” in verse 33 is not the same word, meaning “to lament loudly, to wail.” Unlike these others, Jesus did not wail but wept quietly with tears flowing. Its root means “tears.” His were not the tears of a sentimentalist, but those of a pure, righteous, sympathizing High Priest ( Hebrews 4:15). What does Jesus’ weeping reveal about Him? John 11:35.Ĭ omment: The Greek verb translated “wept” is found only here in the Bible. When we are tempted to sin, we must remember verse 35, “Jesus wept.” It succinctly emphasizes the curse of sin.ġ. Today, we laugh and joke about things that caused even God Himself to weep. Our Savior’s weeping shows the pain of sin. Sin does not bring life it always results in death. Lazarus was dead because sin had entered the world and brought death and the sorrows that follow. This scene of death and despair deeply moved and upset Him, even to the point of indignation. This response is described using a Greek term implying quiet tears, in contrast to the "wailing" described from the other mourners.Christ’s conduct just prior to raising Lazarus from the dead is instructive and inspiring: “When Jesus saw weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” ( John 11:33). In the meantime, He weeps, sharing their pain and their sorrow. Jesus is about to resurrect His good friend, bringing Lazarus back to his sisters and family. At the same time, Scripture tells us God truly, deeply understands the pain we feel while we wait for that plan to be completed (2 Corinthians 5:1–5 Isaiah 53:3). Responding to tragedy, we sometimes ask, "If God really cared, why not stop this happening in the first place?" The Bible tells us even our hardest moments have a purpose in God's will (Romans 8:28). Even when Jesus knew He was about to make right what was wrong, He still "felt" the pain of the people He was there to serve. When bad things happen, we often ask, "does God even care?" This simple statement, "Jesus wept," proves that He does. The fact that Jesus weeps in this situation brings context to human pain and suffering. This moment speaks to His humanity, and His ability to sympathize with our pain and suffering (Hebrews 4:15–16). The fact that Jesus-who is God incarnate (John 1:1–4)-experiences human sorrow, at all, is reason enough to be amazed. Judaism, alone, presented a God who invested real love and compassion into His creations. They saw humans as tools, toys, or slaves. Those who did weren't the slightest bit concerned about human happiness. That feeling is strong enough to produce tears.Īncient deities were often stoic: they didn't express emotions. ![]() Christ is here to restore the dead man, but He still feels compassion for the mourners (John 11:33). That fact, alone, gives this verse a context which boggles the mind. Jesus has come here with the intention of raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:11–15). Lazarus' sisters are in mourning, as are other friends and neighbors (John 11:18–19). ![]() Jesus has arrived a few days after the death of a good friend, Lazarus (John 11:17). ![]() Despite being short, this phrase describes something incredible about the nature of God and the ministry of Jesus Christ. John, who wrote this gospel, did not intend these two words-three in Greek-as a distinct statement. John 11:35 is infamously referred to as the "shortest verse in the Bible." It's worth mentioning that chapter and verse divisions were not part of the original Scriptures. ![]()
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