Jesus' friend Lazarus has died. Picture his sisters weeping. Picture the many people who have come to comfort Mary and Martha. They're weeping too. Now picture Jesus, who has come belatedly. He, too, is weeping. Why?
We have seen Jesus weep over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). He wept then out of grief because his beloved people refused to recognize that he was God, and their blindness would eventually lead them to terrible suffering. But why is Jesus weeping here at Lazarus's tomb?
I remember hearing someone say that Jesus didn't really need to weep. After all, in the next few moments he was going to raise Lazarus back to life! But Jesus wept anyway.
Jesus wept because he willingly entered into the sorrow of the people around him. He wept alongside them. He was and is Immanuel-"God with us"-all the way.
Of course, Jesus did more than weep. He also removed the reason for the weeping. He raised Lazarus and, by doing so, revealed the glory of God. That's what Jesus does. He enters our sorrowful world and then brings life and hope out of sorrow, to God's glory.
Picture Jesus weeping. Then remember what he has done so that someday there will be no more weeping. I can't think of anyone I'd rather have with me, can you?
<p>Dear God, quickly bring the day when you will wipe away every tear-when death, mourning, crying, and pain will end. Thank you for being with us all the way. Amen.</p>
About the author — David Den Haan
Pastor Dave Den Haan has served at Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, since 1999. Previously he served a church in Minnesota. Dave and his wife, Connie, have three children.
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