Do you feel alone when you weep, as if no one understands the depth of your grief? What if I told you someone does? Would you believe me?
As I knelt by the graveside of yet another person I loved gone in 2017 the tears welled up. Teardrops fell one by one on to the grass where I knelt to pray. As I looked up at the beauty surrounding me, a familiar verse came to mind, one which had brought me much comfort in times of pain.
Jesus wept. John 11:35
It is one of the shortest verses in the Bible yet so profound and comforting. A scripture which speaks volumes of Jesus’s love for every one of us.
However, it didn’t always bring me comfort. At first, I was confused by the actions of Jesus. It left me with many unanswered questions.
As we pick up the story in John 11:17 – Jesus has arrived to find his dear friend has passed away. Martha (Lazarus sister) greets him and informs him Lazarus has been dead in the tomb for four days.
Jesus doesn’t skip a beat in letting her know, “your brother will arise again.” Martha seems to understand and finds comfort in knowing her brother will arise but believes Jesus is talking about the day of resurrection.
However, Jesus has something else in mind.
When Mary arrives, she states the obvious, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She then began weeping.
Now, this is the part at first which seems strange to me. Jesus wept. It made no sense because he knew Lazurus would not remain dead.
After all, he knew he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. So why cry? It just didn’t make sense.
Was he weeping because he didn’t know what he was going to do? Was he mourning because he had not come earlier and his friends were upset with him?
As we see in the story, his tears were misinterpreted. Mary, Martha and the people assumed he was shedding tears for the significant loss of his friend.
Why did Jesus weep?
He was moved by the grief his friends were experiencing. Jesus understood and felt their pain even though he knew what he was about to do. He loved them deeply.
What does it teach us about Jesus?
He was compassionate, loving, and willing to empathize with his friends. Jesus came to earth so he could experience what we do and he didn’t spare himself the pain. He indeed was human with feelings and emotions. He is in tune with us. Jesus can feel sorrow.
Jesus love us!
What does it mean for us in our life?
It means we are not alone in our pain. We have a Savior who understands. Jesus himself has traveled down the same road. He knows our pain.
It also reminds us we will not weep forever.
Why the pain?
Just like Mary and Martha, we can’t always understand the plan. Jesus could have come earlier and spared them their pain. We have no idea why one life is cut short or why God allows suffering to exist.
We must put our trust in the one and only God who loves and understands us.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
The next time you find yourself grieving and all alone remember, Jesus, wept. We must hold tight to knowing we are not alone in our pain. Jesus cries with us.
