In the eyes of the world, crying is often seen as a sign of weakness. But when Jesus wept, it was far from weak. In fact, His case tears and loud cries showed the depth of His compassion, His humanity, and His immense love for each of us. In this blog post, we will delve into the times Jesus wept with a contrite heart and what we can learn from these deeply moving moments of grief.
As we explore the New Testament, specifically the Gospels in the Bible, Jesus weeps at two critical moments, showcasing His case tears and human emotions. What can these instances in Scripture teach us about the divine heart of our Savior and His loving care for our lives today?
Key Takeaways:
-
Jesus wept tears during His earthly ministry, revealing His humanity, contrite heart, and compassion for Lazarus.
-
The two instances when Jesus wept, shedding tears over human emotions like grief and love, can teach us about empathy, love, and hope, especially during the resurrection of Lazarus.
-
We must learn from these times Jesus showed us and follow our Lord Jesus’ example in handling human emotions in our own lives, as our Savior taught us.
The Weeping Friend: Lazarus and Grief
Standing at the Grave
The first account of Jesus weeping, shedding tears, is found in the Gospel of John. Jesus arrives at the village of His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, only to find that Lazarus has died (John 11:1-44). As Jesus approaches the tomb, displaying human emotions, the Bible famously tells us in a verse, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35), showing that He too could cry.
The Depth of His Compassion
Jesus’ tears and cry reveal His profound empathy, even though He knows He will raise Lazarus from the dead. Weeping with Mary and Martha, Jesus shows us that it’s okay to grieve and feel sorrow in the face of death, even when we possess the hope of resurrection and new life through God. In their time of loss and despair, Jesus brings comfort through His genuine emotion and compassion.
A Reflection of Divine Love
By identifying with the pain of Lazarus, Jesus teaches us that as Christians, we should also be moved to tears by the suffering of others, like Christina’s poem about death. We must seek to live with the understanding that God’s heart aches for each of His children, being sensitive to the needs of those around us.
The Weeping Savior: Bearing the Weight of the World
Looking Upon Jerusalem
The second time Jesus wept, shedding tears as He did for Lazarus, is described in Luke 19:41-44, as He approached Jerusalem. Visualizing the future destruction of the city, Jesus wept over its inhabitants, grieving their stubbornness and the consequences of their unbelief in God. This poignant moment could be the inspiration for a powerful poem reflecting on the depth of Jesus’s compassion and sorrow.
A Sorrowful Heart for the Lost
Jesus’ tears in this instance, like in the story of Lazarus, reveal a sorrowful heart for those who are lost and refuse to accept the message of salvation from God. His lamentation, which could be likened to a poem, reflects a deep desire for the people to be saved from the devastation that their own choices would bring and awaits their reply to His offer of redemption.
The Pursuit of Every Soul
In this poignant moment, like a heartfelt poem, we see Jesus’ relentless pursuit of every soul, including Lazarus. His tears invite us to search our own hearts, considering whether we are neglecting the spiritual welfare of others. If Jesus wept for the lost, should we not also be stirred by the same love and concern? In reply to this divine call, may we be inspired by God’s love to care for those around us.
Learning from the Moments When Jesus Wept
Embracing Divine Empathy
Jesus’ tears for Lazarus teach us about empathy and divine love from God. It is crucial that we, as followers of Christ, embrace these qualities, demonstrating compassion and care for others through our actions and even in our poems, just as our Savior did when He replied with love and concern for Lazarus.
Finding Hope in Sorrow
In His weeping over Lazarus, Jesus also gives us permission to grieve and experience sorrow but brings the hope of resurrection and salvation from God. As we encounter our own tears or those of others, may we remember that Jesus, too, wept and that there is hope in Him. This poem serves as a reply to our grief, reminding us of the comfort found in Jesus’ actions.
Joining in His Tears
Let us be moved to tears at the brokenness of our world and the lostness of people around us, like Lazarus in the poem. As Christians, may we carry the heart of Jesus, willing to weep, love, and celebrate with others, bringing hope and healing in His name. Thank God for this opportunity to share His love and compassion with those who need it most.
Conclusion
Jesus’ Weeping: A Reflection of Love and Empathy
As we examine the two moments when Jesus wept, it becomes clear that His tears reflect deep love and empathy for humanity. By standing at the grave of Lazarus and gazing upon the future destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus identifies with our pain and sorrow, offering hope even in the darkest moments. In these moments, we can see God’s presence and thank Jesus for His understanding and compassion. This encourages us to reply to His love with gratitude and faith.
Finding Comfort in His Compassion
Our Savior’s tears, as seen in the story of Lazarus, remind us that we are never alone in our suffering. Jesus walks with us through our trials, weeping with us in our times of need. His compassionate heart, a reflection of God’s love, should also inspire us to extend that same love and comfort to one another, empathizing with and supporting each other in our struggles. In doing so, we can thank Jesus for his care and reply to his love by sharing it with others.
Transformed by His Tears
The moments when Jesus wept, shedding tears over the death of Lazarus, offer profound lessons about the importance of empathy, love, and hope in the experience of the believer. May our lives be transformed by these divine moments, embracing and emulating the compassionate heart of Jesus as we journey through this world, impacting the lives of others with His life-changing love. In all things, let us remember to thank God for His endless grace and mercy.
