Monday, May 10, 2010

What made Jesus Weep?

The shortest verse in the Bible that I know of is John 11:35: "Jesus wept." Congratulations, you just memorized a new Bible verse (if you hadn't already). Jesus is the "visible expression of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15) and the fact that He was brought to tears here should draw our attention. What makes the God of the Universe weep?

John 11 is the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. On the way to the tomb Jesus weeps. The people present had a theory that was put forth in 11:36, that Jesus loved Lazarus so much. That he was mourning. This cannot be the case. Jesus knew that he was going to raise Lazarus from the dead, he said so in verse 11. Others have thought that Jesus wept because of the result of sin in the world: death. The reality is that death was not His creation, it was a consequence of man's sin. But he told Mary that he came to undo this as well (11:25-26).

So what made Jesus weep? I believe that the answer is found throughout the story. When Jesus resolved to go to Judea He met with the disbelief of the disciples. When Thomas speaks in verse 16 he doesn't even believe that Jesus will be able to preserve His own life in that hostile environment. Neither Mary nor Martha (friends who knew Him) could demonstrate belief that Jesus could do what He claimed He would do. What made Jesus weep? The people who knew Him best did not have faith in Him. What brings joy to our Savior and Our Father in Heaven? When we have faith in His character, His ability, His love, and trust in Him.

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