Focal Passage: John 11:32-46
Death is hard. It’s a reality that no one wants to face.
We dread the day that we will have to say an earthly goodbye to our loved ones, and the thought of our own departure from this world can be equally disturbing.
Even when we try to distract ourselves from this mortal reality, our news channels and social media feeds are constantly bombarding us with stories of global catastrophes, tragic accidents, vicious murders, fatal illnesses and familiar names in local obituaries — all painful reminders that earthly life will eventually come to an end.
However, because we live under a sinful curse, death is unavoidable, and no one knew this better than Jesus.
As our Lord became flesh and dwelt among us, he experienced every aspect of human life except sin. But out of all that Jesus experienced, nothing was more troubling to him than death.
The reality of death deeply disturbed his heart, and we see a striking example of this in John 11, where Jesus approaches the tomb of his deceased friend Lazarus.
After Jesus received word of Lazarus’ deadly condition and finally made his way to Bethany, he encountered a community filled with intense grief and sorrow.
It began with Lazarus’ sister Martha, who was less than thrilled that Jesus had waited two days before traveling to get there. She vented, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21). Then Jesus encountered Lazarus’ other sister Mary, who was likewise distraught and confused. He then met many others from the village who were weeping over the loss of this great man and friend.
But while such interactions deeply saddened Jesus’ heart, nothing was more troubling for our Lord than to see the tomb for himself. When Jesus finally saw the place where Lazarus was laid to rest, John candidly records that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35).
Why did Jesus weep? Didn’t He have the ability to prevent death and the power to raise Lazarus back to life? Could He have been merely weeping in support of the family, sympathizing with their loss? Is it possible He was saddened by His own late arrival, perhaps too late to help? Why did Jesus weep?
It’s important to understand that the word “weep” expresses more than sadness. It carries the idea of how a person responds when he is greatly troubled, agitated and angered. Therefore, since Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, his friend’s short absence doesn’t seem to be what’s so troubling.
Our Lord’s weeping at the sight of the tomb was directed more at the reality of death itself. Jesus hated death. It’s the consequence of sin and rebellion against God, not the way life was supposed to be. Death is a bitter enemy, and Jesus became filled with anger and contempt as He looked this enemy in the face.
But when He had seen enough, Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out” (John 11:43). After spending four days in the tomb, Lazarus was raised to life. Jesus accomplished what He had planned to do by allowing Lazarus to die. He proved to the world that He is indeed “the resurrection and the life,” and only by believing in Him can we truly live. Soli Deo Gloria! B&R


