Emotions of Jesus

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Weeping

Martha secretly told Mary that Jesus had arrived and Mary went out to meet the Master (vv. 28-30). She did this “secretly” because of the possible danger involved. The people who were at the house trying to console Mary, saw her leave hastily and assumed she was going to Lazarus’ grave to weep, so they followed to comfort her (v. 31). 

When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell down at His feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (v. 32). When Jesus saw her weeping and other people wailing with her, He was deeply troubled (v. 33). He asked where they had put Lazarus, and when they showed Him, He broke into tears (vv. 34-35). Here we are reminded of the humanity of Christ and His love and concern for His people. The Jews debated whether or not He could have prevented this tragedy by healing Lazarus (vv. 36-37).

 

One of the most moving scenes in the life of Jesus is the death of Lazarus. Here we see not only the power of Jesus to raise the dead, but the emotions of Jesus moved by the grief of those around Him. Martha’s faith was evident as she approached Jesus, four days after the death of Lazarus, and professed belief that He could save her dead brother. When Mary came as well and Jesus saw her grief and the grief of those with her, he was “deeply moved in spirit and troubled” (v. 33). Scripture then tells us that Jesus wept (v. 35). This is the shortest and yet the deepest verse in Scripture. His was a silent weeping and not the loud lamentation of the mourners.

 

Application

Our Lord’s weeping reveals the humanity of the Savior. He knows how we feel. In fact, being the perfect God-Man, Jesus experienced these things in a deeper way than we do. I need to be weeping over the souls of lost people. “He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6).

 

John 11:28-37 (English Standard Version)


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