John 11:32-35

32 Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. 

34 And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

35 Jesus wept.

“Jesus Wept”

Mary and Martha… such different people. Jesus loved them both. Both loved Jesus with all their hearts. But they are so very different in their personalities. Mary was more outwardly emotional while Martha seemed to internalize hers more. As Mary fell at Jesus’ feet sobbing, she said that her brother wouldn’t have died had He been there. It says that Jesus “groaned in the spirit and was troubled” when He saw Mary and the rest of the Jews who were with her crying. When I read this in the past without studying it, I just assumed that when it said Jesus “groaned and was troubled”, it meant He was sad. But when I looked up the phrase “He groaned” on “Blue Letter Bible”, it said the phrase actually means that He was angry. It means “to snort in anger”. The phrase “was troubled” means “agitated”. Why was Jesus agitated? He was agitated because the people still don’t really get it. They still don’t understand that He is the Son of God, the Messiah who was foretold about in the Old Testament. Instead of understanding that Jesus was God and had the power to not only heal Lazarus, but resurrect Him, they were all weeping because they thought they would never see him alive again. Jesus asked where Lazarus was laid, and the people showed Him. Then comes the shortest verse in the Bible. “Jesus wept.” (vs. 35) Jesus knows that He is going to raise Lazarus from the dead, so why did He weep? 

With these two words, we see Jesus’ empathy and compassion. He felt sad for Lazarus’ sisters and the other people who are grieving and in so much pain over the loss of their loved one and friend. This shows us that Jesus also feels empathy and compassion for us when we grieve, struggle, and stumble through this life. He knows how we feel because He felt it. What began with Jesus feeling agitated (groaning in His spirit) over their spiritual blindness ended with Him weeping in empathy for the sisters that He loved so much. I’m sure He feels all these same emotions that He felt that day, about us when we go through difficult and sad times. And how does He feel when we fall away? How does Jesus feel when we choose the world over Him? Does He weep over our lost condition? I realize that I have caused my own anguish at times in my life when I was spiritually blind. I’m sure that Jesus “groaned in His spirit” over me at times. There is no doubt in my mind that I have agitated Him many times. However, I feel like He has wept with me in my times of grief as well…..even grief that I brought on myself by wrong choices. Jesus loves us so much. We can see it in those two words, “Jesus wept.”

God’s Plan of Salvation

Below is the plan God has outlined in His Word for humankind to receive His grace, which leads to salvation and an eternity with God in heaven. This plan is straight from the Bible. 

We have to hear His word. (Romans 10:17) 

Upon hearing the message of Jesus, we believe it. (Mark 16:16) 

Then, we confess Jesus’ name before men. (Matthew 10:32) 

Next, we repent of our sins. (Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19) 

Finally, we are baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins.  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:16, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27) After baptism, God adds us to His church. (Acts 2:47)

Then, we must remain faithful until death or until Jesus returns, whichever comes first. (Rev. 2:10)

God means for everyone to learn what the Bible teaches about being saved. It only takes an open heart for Jesus and a willingness to put away what we’ve been taught in the past, and truly read what God’s Word says for ourselves… and then accept what it says and obey it. If I can help you in any way, I would love to! Are you walking in the light? Are you in Christ? Are you saved? If you aren’t, or if you’re not sure if you are, I’d love to help you. Are you a member of the Lord’s church, but are struggling spiritually in your walk with Christ? If you are… believe me, I’ve been there many times, and I’d love to help you. If you have any questions, please reach out. 

I love God’s Word. It challenges me to be better… to do more in His service. It is interesting and keeps me on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. It gives me confidence and builds me up, and it brings me to my knees when my soul needs convicting! Thank you, Father, for the wonderful gift of Your Word!