Grosey's Messages

"Jesus Wept" by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey “Jesus wept.” John 11:35 is known as the shortest verse in the Bible. Jesus shed tears on different occasions for different reasons. For example, when Jesus lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34) Dr. Luke reports, “Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes’” (Luke 19:41-42). I believe there are three possible reasons Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus. Jesus wept for Lazarus’ family. Mary and Martha were believers who were grievers. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 reads, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.” Please note it does not say there is no sorrow when we lose a loved one, it says we are not to “sorrow as others who have no hope.” There is a Swedish proverb that says: “Shared joy is a double joy. Shared sorrow is half sorrow.” Romans 12:15 reads, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Jesus wept over Lazarus’ friendship. John 11:36 reads, “Then the Jews said, ‘See how He loved him!’” It was obvious to observers that Jesus loved Lazarus as a friend. Jesus knew his friend Lazarus was sick, but He waited in obedience to the Father. A true friend does not like the thought of their friend suffering. It is painful to see others suffer because we do the will of God. We experience grief when we lose a friend. While we know “to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8b), we still miss friends who go to be with the Lord. Jesus wept about Lazarus’ future. Psalm 16:11 reads, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Remember Jesus came “Out of the ivory palaces into a world of woe.” Jesus knew what Lazarus experienced in heaven and that he would return to earth to face the torment of being torn between two worlds as Paul expresses in Philippians 1:21-23, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Oh, the deep meaning of those words, “Jesus wept!” Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey, Author of Don’t Miss the Revival! Messages for Revival and Spiritual Awakening from Isaiah and Sound Biblical Preaching: Giving the Bible a Voice [Both available on Logos and Amazon] May 22, 2022 © All Rights Reserved

# posted by Groseys messages @ 7:53 AM