“Jesus wept.”
John 11:35 ESV
Grace Perspective:
The shortest verse in the Bible shows our Savior’s compassion, love, tenderness, mercy, and anger over death. Jesus wept for His friend Lazarus, who died four days earlier. He came to the home of Martha and Mary, Lazarus’s sisters, and heard the wailing of hearts shattered by the death of their beloved brother.
Jesus knew Lazarus was dying but purposefully delayed coming to His friend’s side to heal him from the sickness that caused his death. Jesus knew those He loved needed a deeper lesson: that He is Lord even over death. Jesus wept with them, sharing their deep grief and even more His anger at death – something we all will experience- and yet one day He will break the power of death over us. He displayed His power as the Son of God, raising a man from the dead after four days in the grave. Jesus shows both His humanity and divinity.
In this short passage, Jesus shows that God sees, hears, knows, understands, and enters into our pain. He sheds gracious tears with those who mourn and reminds us that He has power over both sin and death. One day, all who are in Christ Jesus will rise from the dead and be joined to Him for all eternity.
A Touch of Grace:
What causes you to weep?
What brings you comfort?
Grace Application:
I ponder this verse when loved ones go to glory, some after a long illness, others unexpectedly. In the past few months, two precious and godly women who greatly impacted my life with Christ passed from this life into the presence of our Savior. Though I rejoice that they are now whole and with Jesus, I miss their sweet smiles, laughter, and their gentle way of reflecting Jesus.
Jesus understands the pain we feel when death takes those we love. Our tears move Jesus, and He identifies with our sorrow. Even though Christ knew He would raise Lazarus from the dead, and that one day all who believe in Him will rise again, Jesus wept with those who wept. Charles Spurgeon says, “Sometimes we are told that if we really believed that our friends would rise again, and that they are safe and happy even now, we could not weep. Why not? Jesus did. There cannot be any error in following where Jesus leads the way.”
When we grieve the separation death brings, Jesus shares our pain and understands our suffering. We can have peace even as our tears fall, because He has not abandoned us in suffering. He weeps gracious tears with us. One day He will abolish death, and we will be with Him and our loved ones for all eternity.
In His Grace,
Dawn
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the Precious Name of Jesus, thankful for dear friends and loved ones who are with You now. Remind me that You, too, shed gracious tears, experiencing the pain that comes from the separation that death brings – even if it’s only temporary. Comfort my heart, Lord, with the truth that You understand the grief, and that one day we will be together again – Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know for sure you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so He can erase them. Today is a good day to be assured of salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**
Guzik, David. “Study Guide for John 11.” Blue Letter Bible. 6/2022. Web. 14 Oct. 2026. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/john/john-11.cfm>.