“Jesus Wept” (John 11:1-45)

John 11:1-45

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Jesus Wept by James Tissot (1886)

Pastor Tom Johnson, March 26, 2023

Easter is only two weeks away! It’s too soon to celebrate. Jesus does not brush aside the tears and sorrows of Mary, Martha, and the other mourners. On the contrary, Jesus takes on our tears and sorrows. The story about Lazarus is an invitation for us to enter into loss and grief—not alone but with Jesus. Mary and Martha send Jesus news that their brother Lazarus is sick. Jesus already knows. He also knows that the illness will not lead to permanent death but only to temporary death. Jesus has no urgency. Jesus says that Lazarus has fallen asleep. He uses sleep to show that death is only temporary. Just we lay ourselves down to sleep in the sure and certain hope of the rise of a new day, so we close our eyes to this life only to open our eyes and awaken to eternal life.

Mary and Martha both say Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ death. They both say Lazarus would not have died. Jesus says he is glad that he was not there so that he could give them and everyone a greater gift—something to carry them through all their losses. Jesus gives Mary and Martha, the disciples, and everyone else mourning their loss time and space—time and space to cultivate hope. He teaches us how to go through this valley of the shadow of death with hope. The height of this truth is at the depth of our despair.

Lazarus is dead. When Jesus arrives, it has already been four days. As the Old King James translation said, Lazarus’ decomposing body stinketh. Jesus’ hopeful outlook says that Lazarus is sleeping. Jesus says he allowed Lazarus to die so that he would have an opportunity to strengthen the disciples’ faith—and to strengthen our faith. But it is not just that Jesus will show his power to raise the dead. He will show his power to carry us through our losses and grief. 

When Jesus saw Mary—when he saw Martha and the rest of the family and friends weeping—when he saw their bloodshot eyes—when he saw their tears roll down their cheeks—when he heard their gasps for air—when he heard their cries and groans too deep for words…he was “greatly disturbed and deeply moved.” Scripture says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). Thanks be to God that he sent his son into our flesh and humanity not to just be aware of our pain but to feel it in his body—to  empathize with the sting of death even though he ultimately has victory over death.

Jesus wept. Jesus sheds tears with us. Jesus sheds tears for us. The day is coming when he will shed his blood with us and for us. But not this day. This day he will have a taste of our salty tears before he gives us a taste of the resurrection. Jesus shows up. He shows up in our deep sadness. He is with us in our losses. He mixes his tears with our tears. Scripture says “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth” (Ecclesiastes 7:1-4). There is more wisdom to be found at funerals than parties.

We believe in the resurrection of the dead. We believe Jesus will raise the dead. He says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” That is our hope. Jesus is our hope. Jesus could have prevented Lazarus’ death. He could have raised him from thousands of miles away. But he doesn’t. Jesus takes us to Lazarus’ funeral to be with Mary, Martha, and all who mourn. He allows Lazarus’ death to teach us about grief, death, and his power. He teaches us by his example that it is okay to be greatly disturbed, deeply moved, and to weep.

Jesus weeps. He grieves even though he knows that he will reverse death and raise the dead. Jesus’ sadness is a hopeful sadness. It is a sorrow that knows that the power of resurrection is not far off. Resurrection is here. Resurrection is now. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. When those at Lazarus’ tomb saw how Jesus’ wept, they got the message his tears were sending. They said, “See how he loved him!” Jesus loves the one who died. Jesus loves those who die. His love carries them through life and through death. Jesus loves those who mourn. His love carries them through their grief and their loss. See how Jesus loves Lazarus through death to life. See how Jesus loves Mary and Martha through their sorrow and emotional suffering. See how Jesus loves all of us. See how his love will carry us all through life and death. See how he shows up in our deepest sadness. See how he shows up to bring hope, healing, and life. He may not come when we want him to. But he is always on time. He is there to bring hope. It is a hope that will not disappoint us. Our Scripture assures us how much he loves those who die. Our Scripture assures us how much he loves the living who must still deal with death. 

Today Jesus sheds his tears with us. But mixed into those tears of sorrow are tears of hope that he triumphs over death. Soon Jesus will shed his blood for us. Mixed into the blood of death is the blood of life, forgiveness, and the death of death. Soon Jesus “will wipe every tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more” (Revelation 21:4). But in the meantime, Jesus is with us. He loves us through the valley of the shadow of death. His rod and staff, they comfort us. Surely goodness and mercy will pursue us all the days of our lives. And we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.