ReAD John 11:1-44
After reading John 11:1-44, re-read John 11:34-36. Think back on the last time you cried. Maybe something sad happened, maybe you were so overwhelmed, crying was all you could do. Or maybe a friend told a joke so funny, you burst out laughing and cried tears of joy!
Today in our passage, we find Jesus crying tears of sadness and frustration. As we see throughout the New Testament, Jesus found sweet friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, He and His disciples journeyed to Bethany to be with them. Notice the response of Jesus when He finds out that Lazarus is sick. In John 11:4 he says “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Even before Jesus gets to Mary and Martha’s house, He knows the end to the story.
When Jesus gets to Bethany, the scene is sorrowful. Lazarus has been dead and in the tomb for four whole days—it is clear he is dead, and Mary and Martha have started to mourn. Both Martha and Mary say to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, our brother would be alive.” Even in Mary and Martha’s grief, it is an amazing display of faith, and Jesus simply says in verse 23 “Your brother will rise again.” Mary and Martha think Jesus is talking about the last days, but Jesus is saying to them in this moment, your brother will rise again!
Notice Jesus’ response here. He sees that Mary was weeping and the Jews who were with her were weeping, that is the moment when Jesus was moved and troubled. When He sees where Lazarus is laid, Jesus also weeps. We are unsure how long Jesus weeps, but it is clear that even though Jesus knows Lazarus will live again, Jesus is deeply moved to tears. In this moment, Jesus does not go to a faraway place to weep, He lets people see Him crying, so people know His heart.
What a beautiful thing that our Savior weeps with us in our frustration and our pain. Jesus sits with us in the pain, even though He knows the outcome. In your pain, in your frustration, and every emotion in between, I pray that you would know that Jesus understands.
For Reflection:
- Each Sunday we include discussion questions on the sermon insert that can be used for deeper reflection and/or small group discussions. You can find a digital version online at eastbrook.org/tearsofJesus.
By Pastor Gabriel Douglas
Family Talk: Week 2
Object Lesson: An Unbroken and Broken Cup, Container or Box
- Young children: Try to fill each container with water. What happens? Why can’t one hold water?
- Older kids: What is the difference between the two containers? What do you think happened to break the second cup?
Say
These containers were made with a design. The container creators thought about each detail from the material and shape to the color of the words on the sides. They also thought about the purpose of the containers. When the containers are unbroken, they are whole and as they ought to be.
Have you ever created something you were proud of? Have any of your creations ever been ruined? How did you feel?
Read
John 11: 1-44 or read the story of Lazarus from a story Bible.
Connect
God created the first people, Adam and Eve, and said, “It is very good.” He made them to live at peace with Him and each other in a garden. There he planted the Tree of Life so that they could live with Him forever. It was wonderful! But, when Adam and Even chose to disobey God, they broke that peace. Sin and death became part of their lives, and through them, ours.
When Jesus weeps over Lazarus, he weeps because death is not a part of God’s goodness in our lives. Things are not as they ought to be. He weeps because he sees how our sin has created destruction in the world. He weeps that family and friends are separated. When we are sad or frustrated at the hurt caused by sin and death, Jesus understands. He came so that things would be made new and be as they ought to be. In Jesus, we can have the life with God that He created us for.
Family Storytelling:
- Parents: Share about a time you noticed sin affecting the world. How did your hope that Jesus is making all things new help you?
- Kids: Share about a time when you saw something wrong happen. How were you affected? How were other people affected? What would you tell Jesus?