Jesus wept...

Most of us have read John chapter 11. (If you haven't I suggest that you do so). Lazarus is dying and his sisters, Martha and Mary, send word to Jesus asking Him to come and heal their brother. (Aren't siblings a blessing?) Jesus had already been preaching in their town but had left for the unbelievers there wanted Him stoned to death. After receiving word from Martha and Mary Jesus waited two days before He and the disciples went to Bethany in Judea. In John's account there is no explanation as to why Jesus waited, but I learned yesterday that it is most likely because the Jews in that day believed that the spirit of a person hovered over their dead body for two days after death and could possibly take up residence again and the person would live. I love what the disciples say when they realize they can't stop Jesus from returning to Judea and learn that Lazarus has died: "Let us also go, that we may die with him." They've been so humbled at this point in realizing that Jesus let Lazarus die for their lack of faith. Jesus had told them in reference to Lazarus's death, "For your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe..." So they get to Martha and Mary and find them both in deep sadness. They each exclaim to Jesus that they believe their brother would not have died had He been there. Even when Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will rise again she thinks that Jesus is talking about "the last day" when all in the dead in Christ will live. Here's where it gets interesting: When Jesus sees Mary and Martha and all the "professional mourners" weeping for Lazarus my NIV Bible says "He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled... Jesus wept."

Now, why do you think Jesus wept? Yes, I do believe He was sad for the death of His beloved friend, and He did not like seeing all of those people mourning. But He had already decided that He was going to raise Lazarus! I believe that Jesus was weeping for their lack of faith. Jesus reminded Martha, "I told you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God."

It is so convicting- that my Jesus weeps for my lack of faith in Him. I wonder how many miracles and opportunities I miss because I'm not believing. I pray that I start expecting miracles, not just asking God for them. I want to thank God for the miracles that I will experience each day before they even happen.

Just like the miracle of my little niece. I am so excited to meet her and I'm so excited about how God will use her. She may not know how special she is right now, but I sure plan on letting her know. "Whoever lives and believes in me will never die."