Living His Word: March 1st, 2022

“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 KJV

Jesus came to earth and fulfilled every command of God perfectly, but He was not a machine. Jesus was the Second Person of the Trinity, but He was also a full-fledged human being. Jesus was the Word of God, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1), but the Word also became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus was God in every respect, but He was also an individual human being in every respect.

When some friends of Jesus at Bethany, the sisters Mary and Martha, sent for Him because their brother Lazarus was ill, Jesus stayed for two days longer in the place where He was. He said: “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).

Some may be tempted to think that because Jesus deliberately delayed His coming to Bethany with the intention of raising Lazarus from the dead He could not have possibly wept because Lazarus had died. He must have wept because of His disappointment that even those who were close to Him did not recognize Him for who He truly was. He had told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life,” but no one fully understood what He meant.

This interpretation, however, does not do full justice to Jesus’ humanity. It makes Jesus seem indifferent to our pitiful state. In contrast, some of the bystanders at the grave site correctly interpreted Jesus’ weeping as a sign that He loved Lazarus (John 11:36). Jesus’ weeping shows us that He was a real man with real human emotions. Jesus had true sorrow, sympathy, and compassion for the plight of Lazarus and his family. He was not a frustrated deity disappointed by the lack of faith in His followers. Jesus was reflecting His love and concern. Jesus really cared.

You can be assured today that Jesus is not indifferent to the trials, troubles, and tribulations you are going through. Just as Jesus really cared for Lazarus, Mary, and Martha, Jesus really cares for you.