Why Did Jesus Weep?

Why Did Jesus Weep?

Jesus wept. John 11:35

Have you ever wondered what Jesus cried over at Lazarus’ tomb? Jesus knew the end of the story. He knew that things were about to get really good for Mary and Martha. Their cries were about to turn to sheer giddiness.

So you would think that Jesus would have been a little giddy himself, kind of like someone who is about to announce some really good news. But that wasn’t the case. While standing just a few feet from Lazarus’ soon-to-be-empty tomb, and just a few moments before he called out to Lazarus and forever-changed history, Jesus was “greatly moved in his spirit and deeply troubled.” Then he wept.

Why?

I think it was because he was appalled by death. He hated it. It disgusted him.

Death was never part of God’s plan. It wasn’t something he created. Death was the inevitable result of the first humans’ rebellion from God.

When Jesus got to Bethany, all he saw was the ravages of death. He looked around and saw the pain, the grief and the devastation that death brings—and he knew that all of it was unnecessary.

So Jesus wept; and then he called Lazarus back from the grave and gave Satan notice that both his and death’s days were numbered. Because not long after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus took death head-on, and won. Yea God.

Don’t let the sting of death intimidate you today. Don’t let Satan threaten you with it and don’t let the fear of death paralyze you. Jesus and the eternal life he gives will have the final say.