I found this good study thought you all might enjoy..................JESUS WEPT!by Jim Lisenby_John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. This wasn't simply a tear or two running down His cheeks, He openly wept. Why? What could possibly cause the Saviour of all mankind to break down like this? Let's examine John 11, verses 1 through 53. John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.Lazarus was sick and had been for some time. They lived in Bethany, an unwalled village in the suburbs of Jerusalem whose name translated means house of misery. The house of Simon the Leper was located there and I think it is safe to assume that the people who lived there were poor. Jesus stayed there on occasion which shows that He was no respecter of persons. John 11:2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)This woman Mary loved Jesus dearly just as many of us do. If she was indeed poor then how she must have saved and scrimped to buy the spikenard ointment that she rubbed on Jesus feet. John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.Lazarus had been sick for some time now so the word sick should be understood as sinking or dying. See Strong's No. 770. See also the margin comments in The Companion Bible. Jesus had a special relationship with Lazarus and his sisters and He stayed with them when in Bethany. Were they relatives? Were they close friends from His childhood? They definitely weren't just casual acquaintances. John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.Lazarus did indeed die, that much is evident as you will see, but only temporarily. John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.This was special affection on a personal level. John 11:6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.Notice that He waits even though He loves them deeply. Why? Jesus wanted Lazarus to die and be buried, then He would go and raise him up again. John 11:7 Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again. John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?Jesus and His disciples had left Judea because Herod and the Jews sought to kill him and they are reminding Him. John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. John 11:10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.Here you should equate light with wisdom and knowledge, likewise night (darkness) with blind ignorance or stupidity. His disciples were concerned because they still didn't fully comprehend the power of Jesus. Jesus was the light of the world and He caused them to walk in the light. The Jews who sought to kill Him walked in darkness and there was no way that they could kill Him until the appropriate time. The disciples didn't know any of this yet and they felt insecure about going back into Judea. John 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. John 11:12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. John 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.Up until now they thought that He was only sick. John 11:15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.Believe what? They had seen Jesus perform many miracles including raising people from the dead. Were they still skeptical? Look at the next verse. John 11:16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.Old doubting Thomas here was truly dedicated but cynical and pessimistic. He was sure that both He and they would die even after all they had been through without so much as a hair on their head being harmed. Know any Christians like that? John 11:17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.He knew that Lazarus had been dead for four days because He planned it that way. This was enough time to convince anyone that he was dead. Jesus was not giving anyone a reason to claim that the miracle He was about to perform was a hoax. Lending further credence was the fact that Lazarus had been sick before he died. I think there is enough evidence to suggest that this Lazarus and the one in Luke 16 are one and the same. See my article entitled, Lazarus, Lazarus. John 11:18 Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:This is approximately 1.7 miles or 2.8 kilometers. John 11:19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.Some scholars have stated that Lazarus was not well known but this verse indicates many Jews came and I can't help but think that some of these knew him, or knew of him. If the story of Lazarus in Luke 16 is more than a parable (and I think that it is) then they may have been familiar with him lying at the gate every day and were sympathetic. John 11:20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.Mary isn't being disrespectful here, she doesn't yet know that Jesus is coming. Martha hasn't told her yet. You see, Martha wanted to talk to Him first so she left without telling Mary, or the visiting Jews. John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.Is this faith, or accusation? Remember, they had sent for Him days ago. John 11:22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.Now this is definitely a statement of faith. John 11:23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.Martha didn't understand the real truth of the resurrection, she still believed the popular notion concerning it. If you don't know about the resurrection then go study my lesson entitled What Is The Meaning Of Life?. John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?Jesus is speaking of the true resurrection unto eternal life, not a simple raising of the flesh body from death. John 11:27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.She thinks that she knew Him, but did she really? In any case, she didn't know that Jesus had come with the intent to raise Lazarus from the dead right then. John 11:28 And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.Now, she tells Mary John 11:29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.Mary loved Jesus and believed His teachings. John 11:30 Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.Martha had run to meet Jesus before He arrived in Bethany. She really did want to talk to Him first, didn't she? John 11:31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.The word translated weep is the Greek word klaio (Strong's No. 2799) and it doesn't mean to simply cry, it means to wail aloud. That was their custom (Mark 5:35-43). It is still done today at the wailing wall in Jerusalem. What does God think of this practice? Malachi 2:13 And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.This is not condemning crying when appropriate because God programmed crying into our emotions when He created us. So, He is not saying we shouldn't cry, but some religions make a practice of wailing and weeping for no good reason. God hates that. Jesus is God, so He hated it too. John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.She knew Jesus was capable of healing the sick. John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,Why was He troubled? Remember this word weeping actually means wailing. This woman whom Jesus loved and had personally taught as she sat at His feet, came with a crowd of wailing idiots. How disgusting! The words groaned in the spirit are incorrectly translated. The word groaned is translated from the Greek word embrimaomai (Strong's No. 1690) and actually means to snort with anger or indignation. He was thoroughly disgusted with them all! John 11:34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. John 11:35 Jesus wept.What emotion He must have felt. Mixed with His indignation and anger for their pathetic actions and beliefs was a deep sense of pity. It was obvious they still walked in darkness even though for many days He had walked among them teaching the truth, both rebuking and encouraging them, all to no avail. They had learned nothing. How heartbreaking. In addition, what pain, suffering and indignities they had all gone through during the time of Lazarus sickness. He broke down and cried like a baby because His heart was aching. He would cry again for the same reasons before He was crucified. See Luke 19:41-44. John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!They felt His passion, but didn't understand that is was for them that He was crying. John 11:37 And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?There is always someone who loves to make accusations. They had witnessed Jesus heal the blind man and now attempt to use it against Him. How typical. Know anybody like them? Of course you do, and I do too. John 11:38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.He is still hurting and indignant over their lack of belief and understanding. John 11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.Martha still didn't know what He was about to do. John 11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?After all this time and all His teachings and performing miracles, she still didn't understand. How heartbreaking for Him. John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. John 11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.Once more, He will perform an incredible miracle to show them who He is. John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. John 11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.Notice what it says in bold. Some of the Jews present had already seen the miracles which He done before and had heard Him teach before, and now they really believed. John 11:46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.Some were His enemies. They were the ones who were accusing Him. John 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.The Jewish leadership knew of His miracles but they would never admit that He was of God. Read over John 7 & 8. John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.Look at their reaction. They were concerned about their jobs. How pathetic! Do you know anyone like this? I know you do. John 11:49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.This are his own personal rationalizations. John 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;This High Priest was not appointed by God, Rome had given him his job and position. He probably wasn't even Levite. Jesus died for everyone everywhere, not just the Jewish nation. John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.In his mind, children of God here probably means only Jewish or Israelitish people. Some say that God used the High Priest the same way in which He did Balaam but I'm not so sure. The greatest scripture lawyer who ever lived is Satan. John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.What blasphemy! Jesus will weep one more time before He is crucified. You can find it in Luke 19:41-44. That concludes our study on why Jesus wept, but there is also another compelling allegory here in John 11. Lazarus, like Job, is a type of those who love and serve God during this flesh age. He lay at the rich man's gate and suffered daily. Finally, he died but through the power of Jesus he was raised back up. That was a type of the true resurrection that we shall have. In spite of all your troubles do you believe it? Do you walk in the light, or darkness? God bless with understanding of His word.
Jesus Wept
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