Why did Jesus Cry?

You may have read the shortest verse in the Bible: John 11:35 "Jesus wept."

I've often wondered why He cried. The situation was that a good friend of His, Lazarus, had died and was in a tomb. Lazarus' sisters Mary and Martha were there as were a bunch of friends - all mourning the loss.

Jesus wasn't just tearing up or quietly crying. The word used there means to weep. So why did Jesus weep? Was it because Lazarus was dead? No, because He was about to raise him. Was it that He just saw the mourning and crying of those around Him and He couldn't help it? Not really.

I wonder if the reason Jesus wept was because of death in general. The scene in front of Lazarus' tomb was never supposed to happen. When man was created he was not supposed to die. Yet our own rebellion led to our death and to the scene of mourning in front of a grave many billions of times over.

So it makes me wonder if Jesus wasn't weeping because God never wanted us to die. He wants to live and He will do anything to bring us that life that can never be taken away.

It shows the heart of God-not a vindictive judgmental angry righteous judge, but a feeling person who sees our plight and is deeply moved to the point of weeping. How wonderful is He?

Pastor Tom