11142026 Jesus Wept

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our caring and compassionate Savior.

We all know the favorite verse for Scripture memory contests! The conveniently brief John 11:35 simply states “Jesus wept.” Verse 36 goes on to state, “Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!”

The story about the death of Lazarus provides a comforting realization about our Savior. Jesus was sensitive to the pain of others. The two sisters, Mary and Martha, had hoped Jesus would arrive in time to heal their brother. Instead, Lazarus had been buried four days before Jesus’ arrival. The sisters were apparently dependent on Lazarus for their livelihood, but they also had great emotional pain at the death of their beloved brother. In their pain they expressed their dismay that Jesus had not come in time to heal their brother.

Jesus was completely in control of the situation, and He was in control of Himself as the situation progressed. Jesus knew what would happen. He was not upset when He had informed His disciples about Lazarus’ death. In fact, He had spoken positively of the greater purposes to be accomplished through the situation.

Jesus’ emotional display came only after He observed the pain of His friends. The passage states twice that He was deeply moved in His spirit and also reveals that He was troubled (vs. 33 & 38). The reason for these responses is clearly stated as being a response to Mary’s tears (v. 33). It was then that Jesus wept. His heart responded to the grief and pain of His friends.

Christ’s compassionate and sympathetic response was the result of love. The narration informs us of His love for the three friends (v. 5), the sisters were aware of it (v. 3), and the Jews present were also impressed with His great love (v. 36). Jesus’ love caused Him to cry as He observed the sorrow of His friends.

Yes, we have a Savior who cares when we hurt. He is moved when we cry in sorrow. Even though He is in control of every situation and knows how He will use it for His good purposes, He still responds tenderly to our pain. We are never alone in our sorrow. We are never unnoticed in our pain. Not a tear falls that Jesus does not see. When we are hurting, the heart of Jesus shares our pain, and He responds in compassion and love.

If you have any pain or sorrow, may you be comforted and encouraged in the knowledge that God sees and deeply cares. He is touched by your grief, and He will respond to it, all the while using it for His good purposes.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA