John 11:35

The Explanation

Lazarus was sick. Really sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, were so worried. They sent a message to their friend Jesus: "Lord, the one you love is sick. Please come!"

But Jesus did not come right away. He waited two whole days. And then, when Jesus finally started walking to their town, something sad had already happened. Lazarus had died.

When Jesus came near the village, Martha ran out to meet him. Her eyes were red from crying. "Lord," she said, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Then Mary came too. She fell down at Jesus' feet, crying and crying.

All around Jesus, people were weeping. Mary was weeping. Her friends were weeping. The whole street was full of sadness.

And then something happened that you might not expect. Jesus, the strong Son of God, the One who healed blind eyes and calmed storms, looked at Mary. He saw her tears. He saw her broken heart.

And the Bible says it with just two words: "Jesus wept."

That is our verse. The shortest verse in the whole Bible. Two little words. But they are so full.

Jesus did not say, "Come on, stop crying, I have a plan." He did not stand there stiff and cold. No. Real tears rolled down Jesus' cheeks. His shoulders shook. He was sad, deep in his heart.

What Does This Mean?

It means that Jesus is not far away when you are sad. He does not think, "Ah well, it will pass." He truly feels along with you.

Jesus knew what he was going to do next. He knew that in just a little while, he would call Lazarus out of the tomb, alive! He knew the story would have a happy ending. And yet he cried.

Do you know why? Because he loved Lazarus. Because he loved Mary and Martha. And because it hurt him to see how much dying hurts. Dying was never supposed to be part of the world God made. Jesus hated it. So he cried.

Would you have expected the Son of God to cry? It is almost strange, isn't it? But it is also wonderful. It shows you what kind of Savior he really is.

The Common Thread

From the very beginning, God has walked close to sad people. He walked with Hagar in the desert. He heard the cries of his people in Egypt. And now, standing at a grave in Bethany, God himself, in Jesus, is crying.

That is the big story of the Bible. God does not stay far up in heaven. He comes close. So close that his tears fell on the same ground where Mary's tears fell.

And a little while later, Jesus would cry again, in a garden called Gethsemane. Then he would die on a cross. He did that so that death would not have the last word. Not for Lazarus. Not for you. Not for anyone who trusts him.

For You

Maybe you are sad sometimes. Maybe your grandma or grandpa died. Maybe your pet is gone. Maybe you feel lonely at school, or scared at night.

Jesus is not annoyed by your tears. He collects them, like little drops of gold. You can tell him, out loud or in your heart: "Jesus, I am sad. Will you be near me?"

And this week, watch out for someone else who is sad. A friend on the playground, your little sister, a neighbor. You do not have to fix it. Just sit next to them. That is what Jesus does.

Talk About It

Why do you think Jesus cried, even though he knew he was going to make Lazarus alive again?

Who do you know who is sad right now, and what could you do for that person this week?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus, thank you that you cried too. Thank you that you understand when I am sad. Please be close to me, and help me be close to others who are hurting. Amen.