“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
This is the shortest sentence in the Bible but also the most powerful. Within these two words lies a depth of meaning that reveals the heart of God, a love so profound that it reaches into our darkest moments, our deepest pain, and shines the light of hope.
Imagine the scene. Jesus stood before the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus. The air is heavy with sorrow. He saw the heartbreak in Mary’s eyes, the pain in Martha’s voice, and the despair of the crowd gathered around. And as fully God and fully man, He felt it all. The weight of humanity’s suffering. The sting of death. The ache of separation.
But Jesus’ tears were not a sign of despair. They were tears of love. Tears of righteous anger against the grip of death. The original text tells us that Jesus was “deeply moved”—a phrase that conveys indignation, even anger. He was angry at the enemy of death that had stolen life and joy from His beloved creation. He knew He had come to conquer it. He knew the cross was ahead. But in that moment, He entered fully into the pain of those He loved.
When the people saw Jesus weeping, they said, “See how He loved him!” Oh, what a love it is! A love that doesn’t shy away from our brokenness. A love that steps into our sorrow and wraps us in the arms of grace. This is the Gospel in its fullness: God loved this mourning, sin-broken world so much that He sent His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not remain in tears forever, but will have eternal life and joy.
And here’s the good news: Jesus’ tears were not the end of the story, and they’re not the end of yours either. After He wept, He turned to the tomb and called out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And the man who had been dead for four days walked out alive. That’s the power of our Savior. He turns mourning into dancing, ashes into beauty, and death into life.
So, when you are facing your own tomb of heartbreak, remember that Jesus is standing with you, just as He stood with Mary and Martha. He’s not just observing your pain; He’s actively working to bring resurrection and restoration into your life. The tears may fall now, but joy is coming. The sorrow may linger, but it will not have the final word. Because with Jesus, every tomb has the potential for resurrection, and every tear carries the promise of joy.
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