Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Strictly speaking, there would have been no reason for Jesus to have wept, since He knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. But I believe that there were two reasons that He wept (as well as why John included this detail in his account).

The first was to demonstrate both Jesus' sympathy and identification with those who were themselves weeping as part of mourning Lazarus (and who did not have the same foreknowledge that Jesus did, even after Jesus told Martha that Lazarus would rise again) -- a reaction and identification that He continues to share with those who mourn down to the present day (Matthew 5:4).

The second was to express His sorrow (as both true God and true man) over the entire range of adverse consequences (both temporal and eternal) that sin had wrought in the world, for which (I would say) this event would have reinforced His resolve to address those consequences by His forthcoming death and resurrection.

November 01 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

Jesus wept because Mary, Martha and Lazarus were dear friends of his, and likely also his cousins. When Jesus hears the news that Lazarus is sick and dying, he doesn't come rushing to his side to heal him. Why? Because his Father in heaven told him to wait and I don't think Jesus knew the Father's plan until he told his disciples later. Jesus began to suffer grief and sorrow because his close friend was dying. We see this heartache picked up later when Jesus arrives at their home. Both Mary and Martha are heartbroken that Jesus didn't come when they sent for him. "If you had come, you could have healed him" they said. In that moment, Jesus, in his full humanity, felt the magnitude of the sisters grief and sorrow plus their heartache and great disappointment that Jesus had abandoned them. I suggest trying to read John 11:1-44 as if you don't know what's coming in the next verse.

The scriptures are clear that Jesus entered into our human condition, and suffered just like we do, yet was without sin. Jesus understands the grief and sorrow we feel when a loved one dies. Jesus feels the heartache and deep disappointment when friends let us down, or even betray us.

There were many reasons why God, the Father told Jesus to wait so he could then send his son to raise Lazarus from the dead, but that's a topic for another discussion.

As we read about Jesus' ministry in the gospel books of the bible, we need to train ourselves to enter into these stories as they happen, and ignore what happens after, as if we have never heard it yet. Jesus reminded us that he only did the things he saw his Father doing and he only spoke the words his Father gave him to say. Jesus was often guided by his heavenly Father, just moment by moment, and that is the ultimate example of FAITH, for us to follow.

November 01 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

Notwithstanding carrying on with an ideal life, remaining before a burial chamber, Jesus cried. For individuals, it shows that it is alright to lament, to deal with forceful feelings and horrible circumstances, and to cry. Jesus sympathizes with our pain, our sadness, our grieving.

We are supposed to "rejoice with those who "rejoice and WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP. [emphasis mine" -- Romans 12:15] 
Jesus did. So should we. He's our example (1 Peter 2:21).

When grieving, connect with Him, appeal to God for solace, and He will react.

November 03 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report