As youngsters, we soon learned that the shortest verse in the Bible was “Jesus wept.” This was a great accomplishment for little beginning Bible students, but over the years how much time has been invested in understanding the importance of that little verse? Never has there been so much meaning packed into two words as those two recorded by John.
“Jesus wept” means that Jesus’ love was deep and genuine. The text indicates that when He saw Mary and the others weeping that “He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled.” He was grieving with Mary, Martha and the others, but He was also grieving FOR them. He knew their heartache. He had loved Lazarus, but He also loved them.
Those two words mean that God had fully identified with humanity, our sorrows and grief. God was not on the sidelines watching the battle play out in front of Him. As Jesus, He had entered the fray with vigor, accepting the title of Captain of mankind’s salvation, ready to take on the forces of darkness to effect humanity’s freedom from the clutches of Satan.
“Jesus wept” means that now there is real hope. Jesus has just said to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life.” Lazarus, a man like the first man into whose nostrils God had breathed the breath of life, now lay dead - lifeless. Jesus is moved (and has planned - John 11:4) to preview His coming victory over death and Hades through Lazarus’ death and raising. The time has come. The gloves are off.
“Where have you laid him?”
“Remove the stone.”
“Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
“Father, I thank you that you have heard Me ... so that they may believe that You sent Me.”
“Lazarus, come forth.”
“Unbind him, and let him go.”
Jesus wept. Aren’t you glad He did?!
><> Jeff
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