"Jesus Wept"

 “Jesus wept” (John 11:35 ESV)

The shortest text in the Bible is also one of the most revealing texts. It reveals the human nature of the God/man Jesus. This has been said many times, but it is essential to understand that Jesus had to be human. Christ’s humanity was necessary for many reasons.

We must look at the preceding verses to understand this short but revealing text. Chapter 11 begins with the notification to the reader that Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary of Bethany, all of whom were close to Jesus, was ill. Martha and Mary sent a messenger to Jesus who upon hearing the news of the illness said, cryptically, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (v.4). I say cryptically because Jesus did not disclose the progression of this illness which He in His omnipotence knew.

Scripture tells us that Jesus loved these three people. (v.5) This shows the humanity of Christ; He loved these friends. But Jesus delayed going to Bethany and remained in the wilderness for two more days. Again, in His omnipotence, Jesus told the apostles that Lazarus had fallen asleep, meaning Lazarus had died, and that He, Jesus, must go and wake Him. At first, the apostles did not understand the condition of Lazarus, but Jesus “told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died’” (v.14).

Now, I had said Jesus had spoken cryptically because He knew Lazarus would die, but would do so to glorify God and “so that you may believe” (v.15). The “you” Jesus meant was the apostles. But this miracle that was about to take place would make many believers to this day.

When Jesus reached Bethany, Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Needless to say, Martha was not happy with Jesus because she believed that Jesus could have changed this outcome and demonstrated that by saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v.21). Martha and Mary believed in Jesus but, it appears from the text, not fully. They believed in the resurrection and failed to realize Jesus was the resurrection.

When Mary came out and spoke with Jesus, He was overcome with emotion, and “Jesus wept” (v.35). He wept knowing full well he would raise Lazarus from the dead. This weeping by Jesus revealed his feelings. His love for Mary and His grief for her loss. His grief was also for Martha, who was angered by the loss of her brother. The humanity of Jesus provided Him, as God, with the same emotional experiences we have every day, with the exceptions of guilt and regret. Jesus, despite His humanity, remained sinless and perfect. He was transcendently pure, yet His tears show that He understands our human emotions, providing us with comfort and understanding that He understands our lifes troubles.

To glorify God and reveal the true deity of Christ, Jesus told the apostles to “Take away the stone” (v.39) from the tomb opening. If you have read the Gospel of John, you know that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. This was done with many witnesses and glorified God the Father and the Son of Man. Many would believe in Jesus because of this miracle, and a few would plot to include the murder of Lazarus in their plot to destroy Jesus.

The shortest verse in the Bible reveals the humanity of Jesus. Jesus came and bore all human sins so that we, through faith in Him, could receive salvation. Only a human could pay for human sin but only a God could withstand the wrath God against that sin. Jesus was both man and God, but he had to be both. This verse reminds us that Jesus knows what we endure in this world. He knows our hearts better than we do. It tells us He is our perfect mediator with the Father. Like Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, we know that the love He has for us, who believe in Him, is an eternal love that surpasses the grave. Two little words reveal so much grace and mercy if we only look deeper at their meaning.

Do you know the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ? Have you placed your faith in Him as your eternal Savior? If you have not, I pray you will commit yourself to Him now, tell Him you believe in Him as the resurrected Son of God, the Savior whose blood washes away all sins, tell Him you want to be saved from your sins.

Grace and Peace!