Verses 28-31 Martha’s sorrow and disappointment had driven her to Jesus, but Mary’s distress kept her from him. So Martha went back to the house for her sister, Mary. When Mary heard Jesus was calling for her, she immediately went to him.
Verses 31-35 The first words out of Mary’s mouth were the same as her sister’s: Lord, if you had been here, my brother would have not have died!
Jesus asked to see the tomb. Then, we read the shortest yet one of the most profound verses in all the Bible: Jesus wept.
Deeply moved by her crying, Jesus weeps and expresses his compassion toward those in pain.
“In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.” Isaiah 63:9 NLT
Jesus suffers with us in all our sufferings. Jesus weeps and groans in the spirit, allowing himself to grieve with those who grieve.
Fully God, Fully Flesh
Jesus is fully God, but he is also fully flesh and blood, susceptible to joy and grief. Jesus weeps and shares in our delights. He is two natures in one person. Even though he knew he was about to perform the miracle, he shows his compassion and mercy by grieving the pain and sorrow of those he loved.
Our tears of compassion for others are one way we resemble Christ. It is a relief in our sorrow to have someone sympathize with us.
‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.’ Hebrews 4:15 ESV
Verses 36-37 Some could see how much Jesus loved Lazarus. But others were confused, wondering why a man would give sight to the blind couldn’t keep a sick man from dying. They thought Jesus’ tears showed his inability to help. That if he could have prevented this death, Jesus would. But since he did not, some Jews think Jesus could not.
We see this same thought when Jesus goes to the cross. Some concluded that because Jesus did not save himself and come down from the cross, he could not do it. They never considered that divine wisdom always directs divine power. His power is not merely according to his wants, but according to the counsel of his will. What a lesson. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.
Jesus’ Sympathy Doesn’t Diminish His Sovereignty
Death does not diminish Jesus’ dominion. His sovereignty and control remain even when suffering strikes the Church. Even as Jesus suffered. Death does not determine the amount of power and love Jesus has for his people. Jesus receives counsel from the Father for what is best.
Our doing does not determine our being. Our doing flows from our being.
Jesus limited his healing work earlier so that what he was about to do would be on full display and magnified. I imagine some in the crowd are now whispering rumors, questioning whether Jesus even healed the blind man. As if the lack of a miracle here is now invalidating all the work Jesus had done before.
Jesus’ limits are always for his maximum glory.
Prayer
Jesus, you are so good to me. So compassionate of my sorrows. You grieve with me in my sorrows and have mercy on the deep pain I experience. You rescue me with your love and redeem the years. Even in my disappointments, you are still faithful and working all things out for my good. Help me remember this when I’m tempted to blame you for not preventing the sorrow or in those moments, I want to pull away and sulk in my sadness. Clothe me in compassion and sympathy for others. Supply the grace in me to sit in their sorrow and cry with them, keeping a firm grip on your Truth and promises. I pray for my heart to remain steadfast in trusting you, Jesus. Help me not want to limit your power to what I can see. Your wisdom, power, and authority are so far beyond my comprehension. As I seek your will in my life, I sink into your wisdom for guidance and direction. Not my will but yours be done, Jesus, for the glory of your name. Amen.