FOR WHOM DID JESUS WEEP?

A key understanding about Jesus is that he is both fully divine and fully human (Matt. 1:23-25; John 1:14; 1 Tim. 2:5). What caught my attention are the two occasions when Jesus’ humanity is displayed by weeping, shedding tears in grief. In the first, John simply states, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). There are multiple opinions as to why Jesus, arriving on the scene days after his friend Lazarus has died (John 11:14), suffers this emotional response. The second takes place days later (Jn. 12:9-18) during the triumphal entry to Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44).

The scriptures tell us Jesus was fully human (John 1:14, Hebrews 2:5-18). While making the journey to Bethany the emotional strain of losing a close friend had to be building. Coming into the presence of the mourners Jesus, tired and saddened, felt the weight of losing someone he loved and began crying, a very human response. Many of us have experienced this emotional release at a memorial or funeral service of someone we held dear.

Another consideration is Jesus was sympathetically feeling the pain and loss for Martha and Mary who are suffering from the death of their beloved brother and provider. The Bible gives us no information about their financial position, but it is likely, considering the difficulties of being single women in a culture that treats them as being of lesser importance, they had no marriage prospects and were financially dependent on Lazarus.

We should also take into consideration that after three years of teaching and demonstrations of his divine power, Jesus was weighed down over the weak faith demonstrated by his followers, especially the apostles. Thomas states (John 11:8;14) they are aware of the threats to Jesus’ life, yet they continue exhibiting a fragile understanding of Jesus as the Messiah, the resurrection and the life. Their inconsistent faith (Matt. 8:26, 17:16-20; Mark 9:19) would have stressed him physically and spiritually.

Jesus’ divine self has a firm grasp on what will take place in the very near future, he being aware that his earthly life and ministry are coming to a close (Matt. 20:17-19; Mk. 10:33-34; Lk. 18:31-33). Humanly speaking, the spiritual strain he was under at that time is beyond our comprehension. His emotional condition is graphically revealed not long thereafter in the Garden of Gethsemane prior to his arrest (Luke 22:44) as he battles with the knowledge of what is coming. Even with the strengthening support of an angel he is in great agony.

In my study I have come to the belief there may yet be another aspect contributing to Jesus’ tearful response over the death of Mary and Martha’s brother, one which I have not read or heard about. To make the point requires we return to a story Jesus told about a different man named Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). This other Lazarus is the only person mentioned by name in all of Jesus’ parables, bringing me to the conclusion the story is about actual events and real people simply because Jesus inserts his name into the narrative. This Lazarus, identified only as a beggar, and an unnamed rich man both die. By naming one I propose these men were known by some in his audience. In this instance Jesus says that after dying, both the beggar and the rich man arrived at their eternal destinations. This Lazarus joins Abraham (I believe in Heaven) and the rich man suffers in Hades/Hell, agonizing in the fire. In telling this story Jesus again verifies Heaven and Hell as real places (Matt. 13:40-43; 25:34-46; Mark 9:43-48).

Back to John 11 and the brother of Mary and Martha. Lazarus has died and great sorrow is being expressed by a crowd of mourners. Jesus arrives and this is the point that struck me. He is about to use his divine power to order, not request, but order Lazarus to leave heaven and return to life on earth. He will call Lazarus from the presence of God, where he has dwelt for the previous four days, back to life on earth where he will again experience life in first century Judea, a life immersed in the daily struggle to live, face Roman and religious persecution, and soon, the torture and crucifixion of the very man they would call Messiah. Preparing to give that command, in addition to the sorrow over the death of his friend and the weak faith of his followers, Jesus wept.

In shedding tears over Jerusalem, Jesus displayed his divine nature. Weeping at Lazarus death revealed his humanity. As we gain understanding of who Christ is and grasp what He has done for us, we can only begin to comprehend the anguish our LORD experienced in being both fully divine and fully human.