Why Jesus Wept

JESUS WEPT

John 11:35

Introduction:

1. "Jesus Wept!"—the shortest verse in the Bible!

2. Think about that statement for a minute.

3. Jesus, Who is God Himself, was moved to tears over a situation involving His creation—Human beings!

4. There is a great verse in the Bible that says, "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (I Peter 5:7).

5. This verse reiterates that statement!

6. Jesus cares so much for us—the Bible says, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

7. Jesus Christ cares more for you and your problems than you do!

8. In this story, Jesus not only weeps, but He intervenes in their problems and helps them find a solution!

9. Let us see how the story unfolds!

I. Jesus was warned (v. 1-3).

A. By Lazarus’ Sisters

B. About Lazarus’ Sickness

II. Jesus waited (v. 4-19).

· We can picture the one sent hurrying to deliver the urgent message. We can picture, too, the anxious sisters sitting by their brother’s deathbed hoping against hope that Jesus would arrive in time! Fear must have gripped their hearts!

· Imagine their getting the return message that this sickness was not unto death, yet watching their brother waste away and eventually die!

· This had to rock their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!

· Of course, Jesus knew what He planned to do!

· "Has is ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?"—Harold Sightler

· "God has been in time, on time, every time for me!"

A. To Display His Sovereignty

1. He knows the beginning from the end.

2. He has a plan and is working it!

3. He had already proved His sovereign power over:

a. Dearth

b. Disease

c. Devils

4. He will now show His power over death!

B. To Draw Men to Salvation (v. 15)

1. He waited for Lazarus to die, so His disciples would believe in Him—not only as a great teacher, but as God Himself!

2. God still uses His resurrection power to divide between the saved and the lost:

3. Romans 10:9 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead; thou shalt be saved!"

4. Christ was planning on resurrecting Lazarus from the dead—to display His sovereignty and to draw men to salvation!

III. Jesus was welcomed (v. 20-32).

A. By Martha (v. 20-27)

1. She was selfish

a. Some believe that her emphasis was more on her sense of loss than on grief over her brother.

b. Her emphasis was MY brother would not have died.

c. In other words, "Jesus, if You would have been here, I would not have to go through so much pain and sorrow!"

d. Notice, the Lord did not rebuke her for this!

e. This is a basic human instinct to sorrowful happenings.

f. Jesus reassured her several times!

2. She was sightless

a. The Lord told her several times that He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead!

b. She kept on saying, "I know that in the final resurrection, he will rise."

c. She did not get the point!

B. By Mary (v. 28-32)

1. She rushed to Jesus (v. 28-31).

2. She reverenced Jesus (v. 32).

· Her tone was different than that of Martha!

· Whereas Martha was selfish, Mary was merely sorrowful!

· She was torn apart by the fact that her brother had died, and Jesus had seemingly failed her!

· Martha did not bow down before Jesus, Mary did.

· Mary was ever the worshipper, while Martha was ever the worker!

IV. Jesus wept (v. 33-38).

A. Because of Death

1. When the Bible says He groaned inwardly—some have taken that to refer to indignation!

2. The indignation was not directed at the people, however, but at death itself.

3. Remember, death is the last enemy to be defeated by Christ!

4. Jesus came to conquer death for every man.

B. Because of their Doubt

C. Because of their Despair

D. Because of His Devotion ("behold how He loved him.")

V. Jesus worked a miracle (v. 39-44).

A. He works through people (v. 39-41)

1. He told them to roll away the stone.

2. Martha rebuked the Lord

3. Jesus reminded her what He had said.

4. God uses people to do great things, though sometimes they cannot even see their way clear to believe!

B. He works through prayer (v. 41-42)

1. The Holy Spirit is continually making intercession for us all (Romans 8:26-27).

2. Jesus is also in Heaven interceding for us (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).