Do You Know Why Jesus Cried?
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
We all have expectations of others, just as others have expectations of us. We base some expectations on what we observe about others—our perceptions. But we can also have unrealistic or misguided expectations.
Spouses have expectations of each other before marriage that go unmet soon after the wedding. Unmet expectations hold true for many relationships. What we hope for and want of someone else collides with the reality of who they are.
Many of our expectations are ill-informed and must change when we observe things as they are rather than what we are expecting.
When we don’t base our expectations on what’s true, it leads us to draw conclusions and form opinions that easily become assumptions on our part.
This is a normal part of life on earth. Even Jesus endured this. People had many expectations of Him—both misguided and unrealistic. They had uninformed opinions of Jesus, which led to foolish assumptions.
This still holds true. Many people, even Christian believers, have expectations, opinions, and make assumptions about Jesus that are not accurate or true.
This brief segment of the story in John 11 shows some misconceptions people had of Jesus. Unfortunately, they continue.
Scripture
After Martha had said this, she went back home and whispered to her sister Mary, “The teacher is here, and he is calling for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Jesus. (Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still where Martha had met him.)
The Jews who were comforting Mary in the house saw her get up quickly and leave. So they followed her. They thought that she was going to the tomb to cry. When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” [vss 28-32]
When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who were crying with her, he was deeply moved and troubled. So Jesus asked, “Where did you put Lazarus?” They answered him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus cried. The Jews said, “See how much Jesus loved him.” But some of the Jews asked, “Couldn’t this man who gave a blind man sight keep Lazarus from dying?” [vss 33-37]
(John 11:28-37 GW)
Key phrase—
Jesus cried. The Jews said, “See how much Jesus loved him.” But…
Digging Deeper...
Review the Scriptures above as you answer the following questions
What does Martha do after her meeting with Jesus?
Who does Martha speak with and what does she say?
What does Mary do and why does the group of mourners follow her?
What does Mary say to Jesus?
How does Jesus respond to what Mary says?
What do the Jews with Mary say about Jesus?
Reflection...
As mentioned before, Martha is a picture of faith. She believed Jesus could raise her brother Lazarus from death. Mary enters the story and repeats Martha’s lament, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
But Mary isn’t as hopeful as Martha. Mary is still sorrowful and the group of Jewish mourners echoes her sobs. At this point in the story, we see how expectations morph into ill-informed opinions and assumptions.
The expectation—“Lord, if….”—is one we all perpetuate. When things don’t go the way we expect, we tell the Lord how it should be. Think of how many times you’ve asked the Lord something similar… “Lord, if…,” or ”Lord, why…?” Even if we don’t say it out loud, it goes through our minds.
We’re told Jesus was “deeply moved and troubled” when He saw Mary and her Jewish mourners crying. I’ve heard and read of teachers and commentators who say this shows Jesus empathizing with Mary. But is this so?
After Jesus asks where Lazarus’ tomb was, He cried. This is the shortest verse in the Bible. And yet, much is written about it. Perhaps how we understand verse 33 determines how we understand verse 35.
Personally, I don’t see this as Jesus being sentimental and sad about Lazarus. Jesus came to raise Lazarus from the dead (see John 11:4, 11, 14). Later references in John’s gospel account give us insight into what “deeply moved and troubled Jesus (see John 11:53-54; 12:23-28; 13:21).
We all need to be careful to not project our own feelings into what we read in the Bible. We need to remove any sentimentality we might feel as if it would be what Jesus felt. As so often the case, Jesus looked beyond the immediate situation by faith.
The next part of the story reveals why Jesus came to Lazarus’ tomb and gives us some insight into why Jesus came as the Son of God.
Taking it to heart...
Read through the Scripture text again as you consider and answer these questions
How is Martha a source of encouragement to her sister Mary?
How does Mary approach Jesus? What is her posture and when she spoke to Jesus?
What seems to prompt Jesus to be “deeply moved and troubled”?
How do the Jewish mourners react to seeing Jesus cry?
Do you think Jesus cried out of sadness for Lazarus? Why or why not?
Or, was Jesus looking forward to what He knew was ahead?
Personalize it...
Meditate On This— You need to be careful to not project your own feelings into what you read in the Bible. Read the full context of the Scriptures to understand the greater picture beyond the immediate wording.
Prayer Focus— Always ask the Lord to guide you when reading the Bible. Ask Him for spiritual discernment and understanding. Then ask the Lord how it may apply to your life.
©2021—Word-Strong
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