![]() ![]() He delayed coming, and he did not speak healing from a distance like he did for the centurion’s servant.One reason is simply the deep compassion that Jesus felt for those who were suffering. But he was “greatly troubled” and he wept.So, one would think that Jesus would be confident, joyful calm in that storm of sorrow.He knew that in a few short minutes all this weeping would turn to astonished joy, and then tearful laughter, and then worship. Except that Jesus had come to Bethany to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus wept after speaking with Lazarus’s grieving sisters, Martha and Mary, and seeing all the mourners. And the tears in the Garden are an ocean, belonging to the Whole World.The tears for Jerusalem were a river, belonging to an Entire Country.The tears at the tomb were a small stream belonging to one Household.In the Garden - He wept for a Cursed World.At the tomb - Jesus wept for a Hurting Family.Let me footnote here and remind us of the three occasions that we find our Savior shedding Tears. ![]() I would like for us to take a closer look at this occasion in the life of Christ and see just what it was that brought tears to the eyes of the Son of God!.Every single tear Jesus wiped from his cheek is meaningful and significant.Have you ever stopped to wonder what could possibly bring tears to the eyes of God? Can you imagine the face of Jesus, moist with his own tears? Are they tears of weakness or of strength? Of fear or compassion? The Bible actually records three different times when Jesus cried, each time in a different place and for a different reason. With such emphasis on Christ everywhere else, why does John include this narrative about Jesus in his Gospel?.In the shortest and, arguably, most profound verse in scripture, JESUS WEPT.Through the iron gates and past the surrounding headstones adorned with plastic bouquets, down to where the green tent with all the chairs beneath, is set up over a hole in the ground, Jesus falls to his knees overcome with the loss.But the Bible makes it clear that he stayed still for a few days.īy the time he does arrive in Bethany a few days later, Mary and Martha meet him outside the cemetery with the tragic news, Lazarus is dead. You would think as any good friend would do that Jesus would rush to the bedside of his good friend. Jesus has received word one of his best friends is nearing the end. Although he located in time and space - Christ hovers just above the fray in his perfection, his feet never quite touching the ground of embodied experienceĮxcept found here in this 11th Chapter, at the zenith of his narrative, John tells of an account with an uncharacteristically low Christology.On the cross his life isn’t taken - He freely gives it away.Face-to-face with his execution - He is the one in control.Upon meeting someone for the first time - He knows their thoughts before they do.Instead of being born to Mary - Christ existed eternally.His persistent focus on divinity is evident throughout. No book has a higher Christology, the study of Christ, than the Gospel of John. This is the shortest verse in the Bible - “JESUS WEPT.” But for all its grammatical simplicity, it’s packed with unfathomable complexity.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |