28 When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.
30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha met Him. 31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary got up quickly and went out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.
Message: Entering His People's Affliction
Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."
What the Lord is Saying: This is an interesting bit of scripture and sort of slowly developing. Jesus first left Jerusalem, then heard that Lazarus was sick, stayed a moment with the disciples who questioned him returning, then he went to Bethany to see Mary and Martha. They had wished he had come sooner, and so far he hasn't revealed that he is going to raise Lazarus, but does mention that He will be resurrected and Jesus is the author of life and death.
Jesus is going to Lazarus for the purpose of glorifying Himself and helping confirm the disciples faith in Him.
Jesus is first speaking to Mary and Martha outside of the village and not near the tomb yet. Mary then went to the tomb area with Mary and he witnessed Mary being emotional, weeping. Jews there as well there weeping. And Jesus was moved by this and wept. Or it could also be that he is weeping over death. Death is not the intended outcome of man as death is the result of sin. But also, as He has been speaking of resurrection and Lazarus rising again, he might also be a little troubled that his audience is not more confident in Him. And this also shows the humanity of Jesus.
Summary: Jesus has some emotions as Mary takes him to the scene of the tomb and other Jews also present.
Promise: Jesus is our model for what it means to have righteous anger, righteous sorrow, and righteous joy. Let us look to Him to see what it means to be holy in the expression of our emotions, asking Him to help us avoid sin.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you for a new day and the opportunity to come before You and know You as Savior and Lord. Thank you for the truth of Your word and showing us your humanity and your emotions. Thank you for placing the people you have placed in my life. It is a great joy to do life with them.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
