Jesus Wept

John 11:28-37

03/09/25

Mars Hill UMC

 

The Shortest but Most Powerful Verse

"Jesus wept." It’s the shortest verse in the Bible, and in our family’s memorization contests, it’s often a go-to verse for younger children. But don’t let its brevity fool you—this verse carries incredible power.

These past few weeks, this verse has been on my heart. Jesus wept. It’s the verse that gave me strength when I was grieving. And today, as we gather in Mars Hill Church, mourning the loss of three beloved members in just one month, I want us to reflect on this verse together.

 

Jesus Wept to Show His Love

Why did Jesus weep?

The story of Lazarus, Mary, and Martha is well known. They were dear to Jesus. He visited them often, shared meals with them, and loved them deeply. So when Lazarus became sick, his sisters sent word, believing Jesus would come and heal him. But He didn’t rush to Bethany. Instead, He stayed where He was for two more days.

Why? Why delay when someone you love is suffering? Was Jesus afraid of Jews who was trying to kill him? Did He need time to think? No. Jesus already knew Lazarus would die and rise again. He even told His disciples, “Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going to wake him up.”

By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days. His sisters, overwhelmed with grief, said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Haven’t we all thought the same in our moments of pain? “Lord, why weren’t You here? Why did You let this happen?” Even the crowd asked, “Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Sometimes, God spares us from suffering. Other times, He allows it. But always for a purpose. Jesus was deeply moved when He saw Mary weeping, and the Jews mourning with her. The Bible says, “He was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.” And then, Jesus wept.

Jesus, the Son of God, the One who knew Lazarus would rise again in moments, still wept. Why? Because He loved them. And because He loves us. Even though He knew the resurrection was coming, He entered into their grief, just as He enters into ours.

 

Jesus Wept to Show Us How to Love

Why did Jesus weep?

Jesus weeps because He shows us how to truly love others. Romans 12:15 teaches us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Unlike Job’s friends—who initially mourned with him for seven days but later judged and blamed him—Jesus never distances Himself from our pain. Not only did He come down to earth, but He also stepped into our suffering, choosing to weep with us in our struggles.

In his book It's Your Call, Gary Barkalow explains that as Christians, God desires us to embody humility, gentleness, and patience in our relationships. Similarly, Dallas Willard once said, "God’s purpose is to develop our character so that we reach a place where we can do what we truly desire." This aligns with Ephesians 4:1-2, which calls us to walk in humility, gentleness, patience, love, and unity.

Jesus's tears remind us that love is not about fixing people’s pain with quick answers or judgment but about being fully present with them in their struggles. Through His example, we learn that true love requires deep compassion, active empathy, and unwavering patience.

He said that gentleness is gained through hardships. Oswald Chambers stated, "Sorrow burns away many superficial things. Those who have never passed through the fires of sorrow tend to despise others."

Jesus crossed the river of sorrow with us, and He calls us to do the same for others—to walk with them through their pain and suffering.

I remember hearing about Dale losing her husband, Bob. Diane and Brian lost their son, Ned, suddenly. And then we lost Donna. My heart ached for them. I still remember a dream I had where I lost one of my own children. Even though it wasn’t real, I woke up crying. At that moment, I understood, even just a little, the pain of those who had lost their loved ones.

Jesus calls us to step into one another’s grief. To walk through the valleys together. Not to fix, not to explain, but to weep with those who weep. Today, as we gather in this place, I pray that we, like Jesus, will love one another enough to share in each other’s sorrow.

 

Jesus Wept to Prepare Us for His Death and Resurrection

Lazarus’s resurrection was a foreshadowing of what was to come. Before Jesus Himself died and rose again, He allowed Lazarus to go through death and be brought back, preparing His followers for what was ahead.

As Jesus stood before Lazarus’ tomb, He was again deeply moved. Was He thinking about His own coming death? The grief His own loved ones would soon face? Perhaps.

Then He said, “Take away the stone.” Martha hesitated. “Lord, it’s been four days. The smell will be terrible.” But Jesus reminded her, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

Then He prayed, thanking the Father. And with a loud voice, He commanded, “Lazarus, come out!”

And he did.

The man who had been dead for four days walked out, still wrapped in burial cloths. And Jesus gave one final command: “Unbind him and let him go.”

Do you see what’s happening here? Jesus wasn’t just bringing a man back to life—He was showing us something greater. Lazarus was bound in death, and Jesus set him free.

And that’s exactly what Jesus does for us.

We, too, are bound—bound by sin, bound by fear, bound by the finality of death. But Jesus, through His own death and resurrection, calls us out of our graves. He unbinds us. He sets us free.

Lazarus would die again one day. But Jesus? He rose from the grave and is alive forever. And because of that, those who believe in Him will never truly die.

 

Living a Short but Powerful Life

"Jesus wept." Just two words. The shortest verse in the Bible. But what if our lives could be like that—short but powerful?

Psalm 90:10 says, “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.”

Our time here is brief. But when we stand before God, I pray that our lives—however short—will have been full of love, full of faith, and full of power.

Jesus wept to show us His love.
Jesus wept to show us how to love others.
Jesus wept to prepare us for His death and resurrection.

One day, we will stand before Him, and I hope we can show Him how much we love Him, how much we love one another, and how ready we are to live and die for Him.

Today, Jesus weeps with us.
And today, we weep with Him.

Amen.