John 11:35  Jesus wept.

This is one of the shortest passages of Scripture, but it contains volumes of information about our precious Lord Jesus Christ. The context is the gravesite of Lazarus. This is a sad occasion. We also know that this entire scenario was set up to reveal the resurrection power of Jesus and a manifestation of His glory. But may I suggest to you that these two words describe the heart of Jesus, The Son of God, towards mankind. Jesus is a compassionate, caring Savior. He is not like the evil servant who described Him as a hard and austere man (Luke 19:21). The Old Testament prophet Isaiah described Jesus The Messiah this way:  “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9)

When near the end of His three year earthly ministry, we read these words about Jesus: “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it” (Luke 19:11,41). Jesus wasn’t gloating over the unbelief of His people. He wept over the city.

I believe that Jesus is weeping over our nation today. I do not believe that Jesus relishes the pain and sorrow caused by rebellion and sin against His Father.

Precious child of God, Jesus shares your pain and sorrow. I cannot explain to you why He allows some of our pain to remain, but I do know that He cares and in some strange way, these pains cause a deep desire for His presence and ultimately heaven. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus cares for you. 

May His perfect love not only cast out your fears, may it also comfort you in your tears. Selah.