The Tears of Jesus – by Sharon Dow
Jesus wept. John 11:35 NIV
This verse is often taken out of context. When I was a child and attended a Bible camp each summer, we were encouraged to have a favorite verse to share at campfires. Many of the boys chose this one because it required no effort to memorize!
In context, Jesus wept when he saw Mary weep because of the death of her brother, Lazarus. She believed that had Jesus been there, Lazarus would not have died. Her faith in Jesus’ power of healing is commendable, but it did not extend to his power to raise the dead. She would soon realize that power when Lazarus came forth, alive, at the call of Jesus.
Some believe that Jesus wept over the death of his friend, but I believe he wept because of the limited insight of Mary and the others at the graveside. Their view of Jesus was narrow. He wept again over Jerusalem, because of their unbelief.
I also want to look at this verse out of context. I think Jesus must be weeping over our world as he sees the awful things man does to man. There are a multitude of trouble spots in our world; people are suffering for their faith in Jesus, North America is facing moral decay, disease ravages parts of Africa, buildings burn in American cities while people protest in the streets. This cannot be what God had planned for this world. Injustice rules in court decisions, while babies are aborted in unbelievable numbers. God cannot be pleased; he must be weeping over his creation.
How long, oh Lord, how long? Revelation ends with, “‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
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