Jesus wept. John 11:35

This verse is perhaps one of the most famous in the entire Bible, and the shortest. In context, Jesus is away from Judea when he gets word that Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, is very ill. He’s a close family friend but it’s dangerous for Jesus to return to that area because the Jews had tried to stone him there. Nevertheless, after waiting two days, Jesus tells his disciples they are to return, despite their protests. (Of note, my second favorite disciple, Thomas, is the first to offer to go and if need be, die alongside Jesus. I love him for that loyalty. He might’ve had questions, but no doubting his belief in Jesus). 

Okay, back to my point. Jesus and the boys arrive but Lazarus has already died, and Mary acknowledges that if Jesus had been there sooner, her brother would still be alive. She has no clue what’s coming. Mary and Martha invite him to see Lazarus and Jesus weeps. Now, believing in the triune God, Jesus is at one with the Father and the Spirit. He knows Lazarus isn’t staying dead. And yet he weeps. This is powerful and important. Why did he weep instead of comforting the grieving and telling Lazarus to get up?

FULLY HUMAN

Jesus was born of spirit and flesh. Fully immortal and completely human all at once. His reaction to the loss began with his humanity. He wept. Out of sadness for what his friend had gone through, for the loss of Lazarus and for those around us. The Greek word used here indicates a quiet, almost silent weeping, not the gnashing of teeth and wailing, but something deep and dignified. Then as after the human response comes the divine and Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. You can’t help but wonder at the symmetry as this miracle occurred on the third day. 

There’s a lot to say about this, but we only have a few paragraphs left. So let me focus on this – in the past eight years I have lost both parents and a brother. People in their kindness often feel compelled to speak to that loss and mention praying for comfort. In 2 Corinthians, Jesus is referred to as the God of ALL comfort. And this is how we can be reassured of that vital truth. Jesus can comfort because he knows of the need to be comforted. He knew grief. 

FULLY DIVINE

When I wept (weep) over Mum’s loss and people prayed for comfort, I know I can trust that because I know the source of comfort understood my grief. He has walked that path. Those words, prayed over all who mourn are far from empty. They are the source of life even among the throes of death. They don’t take away the hurt, but they do lessen the sting. 

Perhaps you’re grieving or facing down a giant and aren’t sure how to pray. Perhaps you’re trying to comfort a loved one during an unimaginably difficult season. Jesus knows. He is the God who sees. And he understands. He is waiting to give you the strength for today and the hope for tomorrow. Please let us know if we can be praying comfort for you.