John 11:1-43 records the death and the resurrection of Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha and friend of Jesus.
In their home Jesus found rest and repose from weary miles of foot travel and a safe haven away from the religious vigilantes who were constantly plotting and seeking his life. Here he was able to speak without parables and open to them the secrets of the Kingdom of God as they could understand.
Lazarus had fallen ill while Jesus was away and on his approach to Bethany received the message that Lazarus was sick. Jesus was fully aware of the situation. He knew that Lazarus was in critical health yet the miracle worker was in no hurray to see Lazarus and heal him.
I imagine the sisters, Mary and Martha would have sore wondered why he delayed. He actually hung around at a distance for a few more days.
Finally arriving and amidst a lot of commotion and weeping of mourners in this confused scene Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled vs 33, he gets escorted to the tomb.
Vs 35 tells us that Jesus wept.
Jesus deliberately delayed arriving on the scene while Lazarus was still alive, now after he has died he weeps knowing all along what he is about to do ie, raise him from the dead.
The Jews saw him weeping and interpreted it to mean a certain thing with some of them going so far as covert criticism vs 36 & 37.
Jesus's tears at this scene were for other than it appears.
What are your thoughts?
In their home Jesus found rest and repose from weary miles of foot travel and a safe haven away from the religious vigilantes who were constantly plotting and seeking his life. Here he was able to speak without parables and open to them the secrets of the Kingdom of God as they could understand.
Lazarus had fallen ill while Jesus was away and on his approach to Bethany received the message that Lazarus was sick. Jesus was fully aware of the situation. He knew that Lazarus was in critical health yet the miracle worker was in no hurray to see Lazarus and heal him.
I imagine the sisters, Mary and Martha would have sore wondered why he delayed. He actually hung around at a distance for a few more days.
Finally arriving and amidst a lot of commotion and weeping of mourners in this confused scene Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled vs 33, he gets escorted to the tomb.
Vs 35 tells us that Jesus wept.
Jesus deliberately delayed arriving on the scene while Lazarus was still alive, now after he has died he weeps knowing all along what he is about to do ie, raise him from the dead.
The Jews saw him weeping and interpreted it to mean a certain thing with some of them going so far as covert criticism vs 36 & 37.
Jesus's tears at this scene were for other than it appears.
What are your thoughts?