Jesus Wept

Jesus Wept.

John 11:35

Why did Jesus weep? Our text lies in the passage of John’s gospel that is the climax of Jesus’ ministry as John has it organized. He began by turning water into wine. John has depicted Christ healing the lame, feeding the multitude, walking on water, and giving sight to the blind. John 11 tells the story of Lazarus. Christ had been up north when He had received the news that Lazarus was sick. He waited two more days before He began to make His way to Bethany where Lazarus lived with his sisters, Mary and Martha. When He arrived, both sisters expressed their view that if Christ had been there Lazarus would not have died. Christ pointed them to Himself as the resurrection and the life. He promised them their brother would rise again. He then went with them to Lazarus’ grave. It was there He wept. Why did He weep? Perhaps the simplest explanation is that Christ is the utterly sympathetic and empathetic Savior. He is the embodiment of what it means to weep with those who weep. At the beginning of His public ministry, He rejoiced with the family at the wedding feast of Cana. Now, He wept with those who had suffered loss. In a moment, He would raise Lazarus from the dead, and turn their mourning into rejoicing.

Our Gracious God and our Savior,
we rejoice that You meet us at our point of need.
We praise You that You do for us what
is most appropriate at the moment.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning