When I was a kid, in school or Sunday Bible class the teachers would often tell us to memorize a Bible verse. Our ‘go-to’ was always the shortest verse, John 11:35 “Jesus wept.”
The experiences of life have brought new meaning to this verse. As one who has weeped (literally weeped!) a few times in her life, I love the fact that Jesus did too.
As I ponder this verse more deeply, I wondered why? Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Was He upset because He saw others crying? Perhaps. Verse 33 says when He saw others crying, He was deeply moved and troubled.
But I wonder if He wasn’t upset because He knew Lazarus was coming back from death. Did He want to bring Lazarus back? Wasn’t Lazarus at peace in death? Was Jesus upset because He knew Lazarus would have to die again?
Whatever the reason Jesus wept, I am thankful that I have a Savior who can identify with my weeping. One who perhaps is standing up concerned when I weep. One who gives me His peace when I weep for it.
