Talking about the smallest verse in the Bible today. John 11:35. “Jesus wept.” The Bible records the story of resurrection of Lazarus.
If you don’t know the story here is a quick synopsis. Close friends of Jesus- Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus. Lazarus was ill and Lazarus’ sisters had sent word to Jesus, knowing who Jesus was and knowing that He could heal their brother. Jesus delayed for two days more and when He reached Lazarus and the sisters, Lazarus was already buried for 4 days. Mary and Martha are grieving and they said to Jesus that if He had come sooner Lazarus wouldn’t have died. Jesus wept with His very dear friends, Mary and Martha and their grief over the loss of their brother. Jesus then asks where they have laid Lazarus. Jesus goes to the tomb and calls Lazarus out. Lazarus who was buried for 4 days, was alive again.
The smallest verse in the Bible, yet such a large view of who Jesus is.
There have been long sermons given on these simple two words. Why do two words evoke so many questions and so much emotion?
Here’s the question. Jesus knew that He was going raise Lazarus from the dead, YET He still grieved with his friends. Why does Jesus cry when He knows He is going to change the outcome?
Answer-because the pain Mary and Martha felt is not any less REAL just because Jesus is going solve it later on. Don’t miss this! Jesus wept because He felt their pain and loss. He loved them so deeply that He was weeping because they were hurting, EVEN THOUGH He was going to raise Lazarus and Mary and Martha’s pain would end, He still wept with them in that moment!
What does this mean for us today? Yes, Jesus is going to come back and He is going to rid this world of sin, and death. Those who believe in Him, and accept the gift of Jesus’ as their Savior will be with Him forever. Even knowing all that is going to happen anyway, JESUS CARES ABOUT US RIGHT NOW! He grieves with us.
For all those broken, and all those hurting, Jesus is NOT sitting in Heaven saying, “Get over it. One day you will be with me in Heaven and none of this will matter.”. The Jesus you know, love and serve is with you right now, THIS MOMENT, listening to your sobs and hearing your broken words and grieving right along with you.
The same Jesus that wept with Mary and Martha over the loss of their brother, is the SAME JESUS weeping with you and will not leave you!
Cowles Farm 