LEARNING DAILY

 

John 11:35, Jesus wept.

 

Lazarus was loved by Jesus. The sisters of Lazarus sent a messenger to tell Jesus that he was sick. Jesus and His disciples went to the town of Bethany, arriving there after Lazarus had died. It is a message often preached and one that has been written about in this blog. I want to focus on the two words above; they reveal the deep sympathy the Lord Jesus Christ feels for the sorrow of His people. “The verb “wept” (Gr dakruo) indicates that Jesus burst into tears, then wept silently” (LSSB).

 

Death. There is not one of us that is immune to it; each of us will face the death of a loved one, a friend, or an acquaintance at some time. Perhaps we are better prepared for the death of one who has lived a long life or one who has had to deal with a long illness. It is the one we lose without cause or suddenly, in a tragedy that is difficult. The unexpected is tough to explain. Too often people want to blame God. But I believe Jesus feels the same about us as He felt for the relatives of Lazarus when we experience one’s death. When He wept, He showed that He cares for and loves each of us. During this time God becomes a “Good” Father who does not want to see us in pain, even if He knows it may lead to a greater good. Jesus met with the hurting sisters and was with them during their time of sorrow and pain.

 

If you read the entire account of the death of Lazarus, the disciples did not want to go to Judea again because the people wanted to stone Him there. The disciples told Jesus if Lazarus was just “asleep” he would get well and if he were dead, it would be too late. Even the sisters of Lazarus did not understand that the answers to their needs was right there with them; they just did not understand the power of Jesus. Their lack of faith made Him weep because He desires that our faith be in Him.

 

Our family experienced a tragedy this weekend. Our nephew fell while coming down a ladder. He landed on the back of his head causing severe trauma and to later be declared dead. As difficult as this is to face, Troy’s organs will be the reason others will be able to live.

 

 As the family grieves, Jesus – God Himself – knows the sorrow of the family. He has a deep, emotional and sympathetic love you (for us) in the grief forced to be endured. Jesus weeps because He desires wants all of us to place our faith in Him; not to make Him feel better, but because He knows the only way to be with Him for eternity in His kingdom is through faith in Him. Romans 8:28 tell us that even in our most difficult moments on this earth there is purpose in God’s will. God has a plan, even in difficult time; He truly understands the pain we go through as we wait for the completion of that plan.

 

I ask you to take a moment to pray for the family during this time.

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.