Jesus Weeps

by

Donald G. Hayter

WHAT SYMPATHY, what love and suffering is revealed in these two words! The record could not have been more brief and simple. Jesus weeps! The Son of God, Who had but to speak and the spirit of Lazarus would have returned--He it was Who wept. A short while before, He had appeared to be unmoved by the plight of His friends, for He had not responded with His usual speed to their urgent call for help. For the sisters had sent to acquaint Him of Lazarus' sickness, but He had not gone to them, but had waited until His friend had died. He knew that his death must occur in order that He might be revealed as the Resurrection and the Life and that the power of God might be demonstrated.

He had not wept when Martha had met Him or when Mary had fallen at His feet with the words of love and faith, "Lord, if Thou wert here my brother would not have died." But later, seeing her lament at the tomb, and the sorrow of those with her, He was deeply disturbed and could not repress His strong emotions, and His eyes overflowed in tears. He knew He was about to rouse Lazarus. The outcome of this family tragedy was sure and known to Him. He did not weep because Lazarus was dead. Only because of the grief and sorrow of those around Him did He shed tears. In it He was feeling and sharing in their infirmities and so fulfilling the scripture which foretold that our infirmities He would get and our diseases bear. The pain and anguish of those with Him entered deep into His heart and soul, moving Him as it moved them, and leading Him to express His emotions as they were expressing theirs. He restrained Himself no longer, and His feelings came to the surface and He wept.

Thus He bore in His life the sorrows and sufferings of humanity. This was true sympathy. Thus He sympathises now with us who suffer and are afflicted. Though high above, in the sanctuary of heaven, His heart is moved by the plight of His beloved on earth. Because of this we may be coming with boldness to the throne of grace, where we may be obtaining  mercy and finding grace for opportune help. He is able to save to the uttermost those coming  to God through Him; and the uttermost includes all the minutia of life, the insignificant details  that often affect our souls so deeply, as well as the major afflictions that come to all of us some time during our lives.

Jesus weeps! Deep the emotions this reveals, Baring His soul and what He feels, Sharing the sorrow of those who mourn, Tears o'erflowing from heart deep torn.