Perhaps one of the most powerful verses in all of the Bible is one with the fewest words, found in John 11:35 where it says, "Jesus wept." The statement is in reference to Jesus' visit with Mary and Martha to see Lazarus. Word had come to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, and when Jesus finally arrived, Lazarus had already died. When Jesus went to see the tomb, he found Mary and her friends weeping, and when Jesus saw this, he was deeply moved, and wept with them.
Often when this story is referenced attention is given to the display of Jesus power when he raised Lazarus from the dead. Some even see this event as a foreshadowing of the story's upcoming events surrounding Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. But don't let get lost the emotion that ocurrs before Jesus display of power. Jesus had great emotion and he wept. Jesus was not only a man of great intellect and wisdom, who taught as one who had real authority. Like us, Jesus felt deeply about people.
To know Jesus is to know him with your heart, in that places where emotions run deep. Today, I encourage you the read the story of Lazarus' healing in John 11. When you do, read it with your heart and not just your mind. If you do, then you too may weep as you read, and a whole new meaning may emerge when you read Jesus' words, "I am the resurrection and the life."
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