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By Dean Kelly

“Jesus wept” – the shortest verse in the English Bible. Yet that short little verse, John 11:35, is a huge provider of comfort to us as humans.

In this passage, Lazarus has died. John 11:6 says, “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”  When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He intentionally lingered for two more days before He said to His disciples, “Let us go to Judea again” (John 11:7). 

Jesus said to His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (John 11:11). The disciples thought He literally meant that he was asleep, so Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead” (John 11:14).

Jesus arrived in Bethany. Both sisters told Him that if He had been there their brother would not have died. Jesus headed toward the tomb of Lazarus. Mary comes to Him, crying for her loss of her brother. John records, Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept.”

Jesus went forward, had the stone that sealed the tomb rolled away, and called out, “Lazarus come forth!” (John 11:43). And Lazarus came out of the tomb, still dressed in his graveclothes.

Jesus wept, not because Lazarus had died, He knew He would raise him in just a short time. Jesus wept because His heart ached for the suffering and pain of Lazarus’ sisters and those gathered there. He wept because He felt the pain, and He cared! 

“Jesus wept” tells us that He cares for us, hurts with our pain, and feels what we feel. That is why He went to the cross, and why He calls us there now.

Dean Kelly is the minister at Highland Home Church of Christ.