For most of us, it is easy to memorize the shortest verse in the Bible “Jesus wept” but have we ever considered the reasons behind Jesus’s tears? It is easy to assume that Jesus was God in flesh and as such should know the reason behind every physical manifestation of events.
If you think of it, you might ask the same question many people ask; isn’t He the savior of the world? Hasn’t He the power to overcome all evil forces? So, why should He weep?
There are many mysteries in this simple and easy-to-memorize Bible verse.
The event that led to Jesus’s weeping was the death of Lazarus, according to John 11: 35. After Jesus’s conversation with Mary and Martha, and seeing some aggrieved mourners, it would be easy to assume that performing a miracle and raising Lazarus from death should not cause Jesus to weep. What then caused it?
The first thing you should note is that Jesus was close to Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus. Also, it is good to remember that Mary formerly anointed Jesus (John 11: 2), and Jesus had also been in Martha’s residence (Luke 10:38-42) prior to Lazarus’ death.
Mary and Martha already knew that Jesus could perform miracles because they have seen Him do it before; this was why Martha confidently said “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11: 21).
Why did Jesus Weep?
1. He Knows About Our Infirmities
One of the foremost reasons why Jesus wept was because He could feel infirmities. While on earth, He was human. Hebrews 4: 15 also reminded us of it that He is a high priest who can be touched by the feelings of our infirmities.
2. He Loves Us
Because He genuinely cares about Lazarus, he definitely felt his pain and the agony of his death. Hence, Jesus weeps signifies His love for Lazarus and mankind. This shows that He will always be pained whenever we pass through terrible situations.
3. Lack of faith
Another contributing factor to Jesus’s tears is because of the lack of faith of the people around them.
4. The Foundation of His Death, and The Cost of Salvation
Another reason why Jesus cried was that He knew that raising Lazarus from death will ultimately fast-track the event of death that is about to happen to Him.