In our story of Lazarus, the Gospel of John demonstrates Jesus, our God, of deep emotion. Our God is not a God that is far away and does not care, but one who weeps with us during difficult times in our life. What does the statement, “Jesus weeps for His children” tell you about the Lord? What is Jesus teaching you about compassion through His tears?
John 11:33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?” [1]
Jesus our God of Deep Grief
In Hebrews 4:15-16 it tells us that Jesus experienced life much like us as He was true man and true God. He understands our pains and our emotions. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. [2]
Jesus wept in sorrow over the death of Lazarus even though He knew He would raise him. Jesus is our God of deep emotion. Physical death was not God’s plan but came about when Adam and Eve fell into sin. Jesus, in His mercy, had a plan to overcome death by giving His life for us on the cross. An all-powerful God could easily intervene to wipe away the tears but instead Jesus chose to limit His power. He doesn’t abolish tears but in the person of Jesus, sheds tears.
Jesus Comforts Us Emotionally
As stated above, God has a plan. His plan was to take our sin on Himself at the cross so we could be called to faith and be given the opportunity to place our faith in Him. God does not promise to make us happy all the time, but to be with us each day no matter what that day brings.
One day, every tear will be wiped away for those who go to heaven. That day is not yet. Until then, we invite God to comfort us and weep with us during our times of need.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, your compassion for me is unending. You hear me in my pain, you love me through my needs. Help me today, and every day, to hear others in their pain, to love them through their needs. Your Son sacrificed Himself for me. Help me to find the right sacrifices to make for others, that they may know a glimpse of Christ’s love, through me. Amen. [3]
To hear more about Mary and Martha’s encounter with Jesus, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/encountering-jesus-with-lazarus
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.