Jesus—The Friend Who Weeps

You may have an inadequate view of the humanity of Jesus. He was not a machine. He was a man.

Scripture Focus: John 11:1-5, 35

We're introduced to three characters in John 11: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. And we encounter them at their home, about two miles outside Jerusalem. Their house became a central hub for Jesus as He was traveling to and from the city. We get the idea that they were a well-to-do family that was able to host. And because Jesus was staying there, eating there, we get the idea in the text that Jesus was particularly close with this family.

Verse 5: "Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus."

From a divine perspective, we understand that God loves every single one of His own. But from a human perspective, one of the things we don't talk about enough is that Jesus had close, deep, personal friendships.

He loved this family. He had memories with them. He was laughing with these people. He was eating with His friends. He was dining with them. They were celebrating. There were moments where they would say to each other, "Remember when?" And they would laugh.

There was an element here where at Mary, Martha, and Lazarus's house, Jesus was "ministerially off", if you could say that. He was Himself. He was relaxed. And He loved them.

In John 11:35, we're going to read that Jesus weeps at the grave of Lazarus. He weeps profusely. And it's not just because of the arrival of sin and death in the world. It's not just because He sees what the curse has done to mankind. It's because there's real sorrow from those whom He loves.

Think about that. Jesus—God in the flesh—wept. Not token tears, but profuse weeping. Why? Well at least in part because He loved His friend.

Notice that the appeal that Mary and Martha make to Jesus in John 11:3 is not on the basis of Lazarus's love for Jesus, but on the basis of Jesus's love for Lazarus: "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

Imagine being known as the guy Jesus loved. "Oh, Lazarus. That's one of Jesus's best friends."

Do you see yourself that way? If you're in Christ, that's exactly who you are. You're not just a servant. You're not just a follower. You're a friend. You're loved by Jesus—deeply, personally, intimately.

And when you're hurting, He doesn't stand at a distance analyzing the situation theologically. He weeps with you.

This is the Jesus we serve. Not cold. Not distant. Not unmoved by our pain. But a God who has close friendships. A God who enjoys fellowship with His own. A God who weeps when His friends are hurting.

Stay dialed in.