THE TEARS OF JESUS

It is the shortest verse in the Bible—“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Yet, how profound are those two words.

The obvious reason for why He cried is that He was in the presence of those who were mourning—especially his dear friends Mary and Martha, whose brother Lazarus has died. If Christmas means anything, it means that God entered the world as a helpless babe—who despite Luther’s well-intended sentiment, “the little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes,”—likely announced His arrival the same way all do—by crying. Scripture speaks of Jesus’, “vehement cries and tears,” (Heb.5:7) and stresses that He, “sympathizes with our weaknesses,” (Heb.4:15). Jesus knew what it was like to grieve at a graveside. When you cry those bitter tears, be assured that He has too.

Another factor, which may have led Him to weep, was that He was in the presence of those who refused to believe in Him and Jesus knew that the reason for death was unbelief and disobedience. The world had been under the curse ever since man rejected paradise by deciding he knew more than God and could handle things better himself. Jesus came to bring us back to paradise—but, many standing there that day rejected Him still. In fact, the presence of Lazarus after his resurrection provided an impetus to deal with Jesus’ threat to the religious leaders.  “From that day on, they plotted to put Him to death” (John 11:53).

Let me offer another suggestion for Christ’s tears. He knew what Lazarus was enjoying in heaven, and He was summoning Him back into a world of suffering and sorrow!  Lazarus would not be resurrected in the fullest sense, but would be restored to physical life. Since he would not be glorified, he would continue to age and die again!  That is a heartbreaking thought. Unlike many who have made movies and money sharing their journey to heaven and back, we have no recorded words of Lazarus about the experience. We know Paul was forbidden to speak of his trip to Paradise (2 Cor.12:1-4).  No wonder he lived in light of eternity and said, “to depart and be with Christ...is far better” (Phil.1:23).

The next time you go the funeral of a Christian, grieve with the family, and be broken-hearted for living in a broken world, but shed no tears for the departed. They are happier than they have ever been!  When we enter the world we cry and others rejoice, but when we depart they cry and we rejoice.