March 12, 2009

Jesus wept.

--John 11:35

Today’s verse is the shortest verse in the Bible. Yet despite its length, John 11:35 is perhaps one of the most profound verses in all of Scripture.

The reason it’s profound is because Jesus didn’t have to cry. After all, he knew what he was about to do, which was to raise his cousin Lazarus from the dead. He was about to turn mourning into joy!

So why did Jesus cry? One reason was to show us his humanity.

Yes, Jesus was 100% God… but he was also 100% man. He was the one who could say as God, “I am the water of life,” but turn to the woman at the well and say, “Would you give me a drink? I’m thirsty.”

He was the one who breathed life into mankind and yet grew weary, grew tired, slept, and bled. So when we see Jesus’ tears, we realize that he hurt… just like we hurt.

What a wonderful encouragement to know that Jesus knows what we’re going through! He’s not some distant, cosmic being watching you from a distance.

He’s there with you in your pain because he let himself feel pain. And he wants to comfort you… no matter what you’re going through today.

WHEN WE SEE JESUS’ TEARS, WE REALIZE
THAT HE HURT JUST LIKE WE HURT.