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c) The raising of Lazarus (John 11:34-44)
JOHN 11:34-35
34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.
Jesus did not reply in word. Conversation with one in grief is useless. At this point actions were more effective than words. He asked those present to lead him to the grave. They said, "Come and see." These were the selfsame words that Jesus used to call his disciples at the start of his ministry. He called them to view life; these people were calling him to look at death. So he wept when he saw their lack of understanding, their ignorance and their inability to believe. Even the best of his followers were unable to show true faith. The flesh does not avail, the soul lacks faith. The Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on them. Spiritual death reigned, and God’s Son could only weep at the miserable state of mankind.
Jesus was a real man, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. His Spirit was troubled. His sensitive soul was stirred to see the dread of death on his followers and their lack of love for the living God. Jesus today weeps at the state of our churches and ourselves and on all who persist in sin and in spiritual death.
JOHN 11:36-38a
36 The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” 37 Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?” 38 Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself,…
The Jews saw Jesus’ tears and explained them as due to his love for Lazarus. Love is not coldly logical or intellectual, but harmonizes with the emotions of other souls. Christ’s love is greater than our understanding and extends beyond death. He saw Lazarus in his sealed grave and grieved at death’s victory over his friend. But his heart cut through beyond the stone and prepared the corpse to hear his call.
Some of those present criticized Jesus for his blunt ways and discussed his authority. At that Jesus was angry. Because the lack of faith and love and faint hope causes God’s wrath. Jesus purposed our rescue from gloom and saves us from our narrow horizons so that we may cling to his love and live by his faith and rest assured in his hope, no longer to revert to human standards, but trust in his ability. He desires to raise those who are dead in sins of our surroundings. Does Jesus feel disturbed by your unbelief or does he rejoice at your fervent love?
PRAYER: Forgive me, Lord Jesus, for wasted opportunities in trusting and loving. Forgive my lack of faith and forgive my self-interest. Impel me towards a living hope, to honor you and yield constantly to you.
QUESTION:
- Why was Jesus troubled and why did he weep?