The verse in the Bible that is generally acknowledged as being the shortest is, John 11:35, Jesus wept. The question in my mind has always been is why He wept. He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the tomb shortly, so why should He weep over it?
I believe it reveals aspects of His human nature that relate to us. By understanding that even the Lord Jesus grieved, experienced sorrow, and felt the weight of loss, it gives believers permission to feel sad when a loved one passes away, even though believers who die go to be with the Lord and will be resurrected bodily one day when Jesus returns. For those left behind, there will be tears, but Jesus understands and is there to provide comfort and hope to those who are grief stricken.
The Book of John says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus knew the will of God and that Lazarus would be returned to life. He did not weep because He was uncertain of His ability to do this miracle or because He feared Lazarus would stay dead. Jesus wept because He experienced and understood the same feelings as the people around Him.
The crux of the matter is that Jesus was clothed in flesh and subject to human weaknesses like us only without sin. Despite living a perfect life, standing before a tomb, He cried. For us, it does show that it is okay to grieve, to process strong emotions and terrible situations, and to cry. Weeping, or crying, is the common human response to overwhelming emotions, both good and bad. Some people cry more easily than others, but most of us have cried at times of intense sadness. Since human beings are created in the “image of God” and the Bible describes God as having emotions like ours, we can rightly ask, does God cry?
As for me I have never been a “crier”. As I have grown old this has changed. I think the very first time I really cried in my entire life is when my brother Jim committed suicide. I truly believe with all my being that he is in heaven right this moment. Yes he sinned, but I saw him get down on his knees and accept God as His Savior and ask forgiveness for all of his sins. The Bible I love tells me that he was forgiven and thus I believe he will live forever with Jesus.
Jesus wept when He saw the suffering of the people and the pain death causes. Jesus deeply cared about Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Although He already knows this happened to glorify God and that in a few minutes Lazarus would return to them, He felt their pain even though He knew Lazarus would be with them again soon and after that forever.
When you genuinely care about someone, when they hurt, you hurt. Jesus’ weeping here shows His true care and love for us. God never takes our pain lightly even if He knows He will restore everything we’ve lost. We need to dwell on this thought and realize His gift to us. Like a good Father, He does not want to see us in pain. One of the greatest gifts we can give someone who is hurting is our presence and sharing in their suffering.
There is a Swedish proverb that says: “Shared joy is a double joy. Shared sorrow is half sorrow.” That may be true in the secular world, but faith delivers us and His love for us will reign forever. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Jesus wanted to take on their pain, reminding us that no matter what hurts or pains we face in life, Jesus is right here with us. He’s not afraid to meet us in our despair and darkness. He’s the first one to meet us in our valleys. Jesus wept because those He loved wept. We may sometimes weep in this fallen world, but in Jesus, we have a greater hope.
Psalm 126:5
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”