2. Jesus Wept John 11:35

3. Introduction Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, lived in Bethany –He was a friend of Jesus –He was very sick when Jesus received word Jesus told His disciples Lazarus was not sick unto death –He was sick so that the Son of God could be glorified –Jesus delayed 2 days before going –Arrived 4 days after the burial Delay did not cause Lazarus’ death Jesus weeps when He visits the tomb

4. Jesus Wept What is the significance of this event? Why did John include such a detail in his gospel? –Is it to show that Jesus was a man? Some were teaching that Christ did not come in the flesh Some taught that He was wholly God while on earth –Does it teach other lessons for Christians? Lets look at 4 lessons we can learn from this event

5. 1. Jesus has human feelings He wept for a friend –Because Lazarus had to suffer and die –Because Martha and Mary had to watch Lazarus suffer and die –Because so many others also wept He wept because He is compassionate –He did not wish others to feel pain

6. 1. Jesus has human feelings He wept as a release of emotion –He could have saved Lazarus from afar –Knew God’s plan included Lazarus’ death Even knew it would be temporary Still, He would likely have been tempted to interfere to save his friends from suffering –Heb 4:14-16 –He kept his emotions under control enough to serve God without sin But God has given us a relief valve for the pressure of emotions

7. 2. Friends are important Jesus had close friends in His life –Like Lazarus, Martha, and Mary –Like His disciples John 15:9-15 –To be His friend, one needs to Keep the commandments Love one another sacrificially

8. 2. Friends are important Friendships have to be maintained –Proverbs 18:24 Spending time together Doing what the friend enjoys Being there in times of sorrow and joy Forgiving one another of faults –We want God to be our friend But do we show ourselves to be friends of God? Do we seek to maintain friendships with other believers (they too are God’s friends)?

9. 3. Sometimes we should weep Jesus wept when sad –For physical loss (like a friend) –More so for spiritual loss Luke 19:41-42 –Those who refuse to accept Christ 1 Tim 2:1-4 –God wants all to be saved, how sad that man refuses (2 Pet 3:9)

10. 3. Sometimes we should weep We should weep when sad –For physical losses (like a friend) –More so for spiritual loss If we weep for the lost,... –We will never stop trying to reach them –We will live the gospel for them to see –We will always be praying for them

11. 4. Sometimes obedience will be painful Jesus could have stopped Lazarus from suffering or dying –But submitted His will to the Father’s –Even though it caused Him to suffer as well –Heb. 5:7-9 Salvation came through suffering

12. 4. Sometimes obedience will be painful In living godly lives, we will suffer (2 Tim 3:12) –Some have died for the gospel –Some have had to leave family or friends –Some have been chastened by God Heb 12:11-13 Yet God will give us the strength to overcome –Phil 4:4, 11-13

13. Conclusion Jesus wept –Because he was a man with human feelings –Because friends are important –Because loss (physical or spiritual) is a reason for sadness –Because obedience sometimes causes pain We too can and should weep at times