March 25 Jesus Wept

John 11:35-36 Jesus wept. 36 “See how much he loved him!” the people said.
 
HERE again, we discover our Lord’s comfort. Can you imagine the Lord of Life standing in front of a grave? Yes, I’m sure he had done this before. Other friends had died. Apparently, his earthly father Joseph was dead when Jesus’ ministry began. In his humanity, the God of heaven would have known human grief.
    But why would the Lord of Life weep? After all, he knows that in a few minutes this grave will open, and his friend will walk out. Why the deep sorrow?
    To know the “why’s” of God, it is essential we focus on who God is. We know God is love. Yes, see how Jesus loved Lazarus. Even more, see how God loves humanity. Because God so loved the world (John 3:16a) we can surely know Jesus wept not only for Lazarus’ death, but he mourned for all humanity.
    Oh, surely our loving Lord wept when evil entered the Garden of Eden! He wept because so very, very much had been lost at the moment death had broken into paradise. After all, Jesus had spoken, and a formless void became a sparkling universe of exact proportion and extraordinary perfection. Death was not part of the good creation. Jesus wept over death’s curse that separated mankind for our Creator.
    How would our God deal with the death of peace, the death of perfection, the death of humanity’s personal relationship with him?
    God who is love would fulfill his loving plan to destroy death. Since eternity before time, the Triune God knew he would destroy death through the death of the Son. Mankind would be rescued from death’s curse because Jesus’ sacrifice would redeem the curse. Once again, mankind would have a way to know the life-giving wonder of a blessed relationship with our Holy God.
    Can you see this love? Can you feel Jesus’ passion in your life? This is why the cross is called “the Passion of Christ”. Love moved Jesus to weep for a man. Love moved Jesus to weep for mankind. Love moved Jesus to die, so you may live. Indeed, God is love.
    Praise Jesus he wept over death. Praise Jesus he has come to provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness,a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isaiah 61:3-4)
 
Prayer: Thank you for your tears, Jesus. I grieve my sin. I rejoice in my salvation. You have given me life. Amen.