It is said this is the shortest verse in the Bible. It records a moment of great sadness for Jesus that He showed His human emotion.
To put it into context. This happened when His friend Lazarus had died. John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33-45
Lazarus' sisters had sent word to Jesus that their brother was very ill. Jesus waited for two more days before He went to where Lazarus lived. By the time He arrived, Lazarus was dead.
His sisters were distraught and in their grief they reprimanded Jesus for not arriving earlier. "Had you been here he would not have died!" they said. The crowd gathered by the tomb and was also grieving.
Jesus asked "Where have you laid him?" "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
Jesus wept. John 11:35
I guess many people over the years have assumed that Jesus wept because His friend Lazarus had died. But is this really so?
Remember ... when Jesus was first told of Lazarus' illness He said, "this illness will not lead to death." He waited for a couple of days to go to Lazarus' home to make sure that he was really dead and not as some would assume that he was asleep or in a coma.
Jesus knew that He was going to resurrect Lazarus from the dead. So why did He weep?
It was not because of His friend's death.
It was because of the incredulity of his sisters and of the crowd there. Despite all they had heard and seen Jesus perform whilst with them; they still doubted Him and His power.
That's why He wept.
Do we have cause to make Him weep today?
This is good Victor. It makes me sad to think how many times I may have doubted . Blessings to you and yours today.
ReplyDeleteWhen we doubt, as we all do from time to time, it must really hurt Jesus to see how we behave despite all He has done for us. But He forgives ... He forgives when we ask Him and repent.
DeleteGod bless, Shug.
Your explanation here is the best I've ever read regarding why Jesus wept, Victor. It makes perfect sense. May we not be a cause for Him to grieve. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. Another explanation I heard is that He wept because He knew His time for His arrest and Crucifixion is at hand.
DeleteGod bless you always.
This post reminds me of something very similar to what my former pastor said. She believed He wept because, "they just didn't get it." (Two of my favorite people saying the same thing ... wow.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a kind and nice thing to say, Mevely. Thank you ... I am one of your favourites ... right? What an honour. Thanx my friend.
DeleteGod bless you always.
Good post, Victor. I have wondered the same thing but now that you've explained it, I see His sorrow over humans' lack of faith and trust in things He has already clearly said.
ReplyDeleteI think we all are guilty of this lack of belief from time to time. The Christian life is all about faith, trust, relying on God to be Truth and to do what He has said.
We all have some doubts from time to time, Barbara. Thankfully, Jesus is generous in His forgiveness of our foolishness and unbeliefs.
Delete“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:23
God bless you and yours.
Great post Victor.
ReplyDeleteThis verse brings to mind when we were kids and had to learn a Bible verse. My friend Nickie picked Jesus Wept because it was the shortest one. I always think of him when I hear this verse. :)
Yes, it is the shortest verse in the Bible; but so full of meaning and often misunderstood.
DeleteGod bless K.
You know what - I think you are right. I never thought about it like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sandie. You are so kind.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
Perhaps He also wept because death in this way was never what God from eternity designed for this world, and it made Him sad and angry to see what it is now allowed to do to us, what we allowed it to do.
ReplyDeleteGood thought, Mimi. Humanity was not meant to die. Death is the result of our sins.
DeleteGod bless.
When I was little I could quote scripture, "Jesus Wept!" I also wanted to say to my Grandma, "Okay grandma, everyone has cried enough, now you can get up!"
ReplyDeleteHowever, Yes, many of us have caused Him Pain.
Good one today, THANKs for it all.
Indeed, we have caused Jesus pain by our behaviour through the years.
DeleteGod bless you, Jack.
People still haven't got the message today. More unbelievers, more war and all for nothing. We need to do more so Jesus doesn't cry.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteGod bless, Bill.