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Commentaries
English
John
  
c) The raising of Lazarus
(John 11:34-44)
34And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see."35Jesus wept.


Jesus did not reply in word. Conversation with one in grief is useless. At this point actions were more effective than words. He asked those present to lead him to the grave. They said, "Come and see." These were the selfsame words that Jesus used to call his disciples at the start of his ministry. He called them to view life; these people were calling him to look at death. He wept to see the slowness of men to learn, their ignorance and their unbelief. Even the best of his followers were unable to show true faith. The flesh does not avail, the soul lacks faith. The Holy Spirit had not yet been poured out on them. Spiritual death reigned, and God’s Son could only weep at the miserable state of mankind.
Jesus was a real man, rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. His Spirit was troubled. His sensitive soul was stirred to see the dread of death on his followers and their lack of love for the living God. Jesus today weeps at the state of our churches and ourselves, and on all who persist in sin and in spiritual death.