“Jesus wept.” John 11:35 NIV
The shortest verse in the Bible speaks volumes of the compassion of Jesus. At the gravesite of His beloved friend Lazarus, scripture records that “Jesus wept.” The Greek word that is used here indicates a quiet weeping, the shedding of tears, a solemn approach to the grief He felt. Grief is undeniable to those who lost loved ones and friends in death. Individuals grieve in different ways, cope with it in different ways, and each one is on their own timetable in the various stages of grieving. But there is one commonality with them all, Jesus grieves with each one of them.
Jesus’s compassion for the grieving is rooted in the realization that death occurs to each of us due to our sin nature. We are born with a sinful nature. David writes in Psalm 51:5, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” (niv) The separation and sorrow cause by death is the direct result of sin in our lives; for this Jesus wept. There is no escaping physical death in this world, but the good news is that we can escape the judgement of the spiritual second death. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” (niv) Jesus’s compassion for each of us is such that He willingly laid down His life to redeem us from the eternal judgment of the second death, eternal separation from Him and the heavenly Father.
As Easter, Resurrection Sunday, is fast approaching, we are reminded of Jesus’s words to Martha, Lazarus’s sister, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26 niv) If we believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, we will never face the second death, but will live eternally with Him.
What compassion Jesus has for us in our grief. What compassion He has for our eternal souls in sacrificing His life to save us who trust in Him for eternal life. Jesus absolutely rose from the grave that first Easter morning and is alive today to bring us continuing comfort and peace in our season of grieving.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (Jn.14:27 niv)
FYI, Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead.
Read the story: John 11:17-44 NIV – Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus – Bible Gateway
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