In many places in the Gospels we observe the humanity of our Lord clearly seen. He was hungry, weary, troubled and so on. We read in many passages that the Good Shepherd also acted as God when, for example, He forgave people’s sins.

The story of Jesus powerfully raising Lazarus illustrates both His deity and His humanity. We see Jesus’ deity in His ability to call Lazarus out of the grave. No mere human can raise the dead. The medical community will never pose a threat to the business of funeral directors. Death will always be among us until Jesus returns. Even the Jewish leaders who hated our Lord the most, who wanted nothing better than to prove Him a fraud, all acknowledged that indeed He raised Lazarus from the dead. In fact, the enemies of Jesus were afraid He would do more powerful miracles if they did not kill Him. They wanted Him dead, and dead in a hurry.

So, Jesus behaved like God in raising Lazarus from the dead. But we also see something of His humanity when He stood before the tomb of Lazarus, prior to speaking the words of resurrection. We read that Jesus wept.

Certainly there is a ministry of tears that has helped hurting people through countless generations. So, we see Jesus’ humanity as we see tears on His cheeks in the presence of human suffering. Such an act by the Master encourages us to draw near to Him when we shed tears.

Undoubtedly, Jesus wept at the sight of human sorrow. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He weeps with us just as He did with the sisters at Lazarus’ tomb. What a world of comfort is contained in this precious scene.

Draw near dear reader and take heart that not only has your beloved Redeemer seen your suffering, but He comes to you with tears in His eyes. Never forget that He weeps with those who weep, and He enters fully into your grief today. Come and come now.

When the pangs of trial seize me,
When the waves of sorrow roll,
I will lay my head on Jesus,
Refuge of the troubled soul.
Surely, none can feel like Thee,
Weeping One of Bethany!

Jesus wept! and still in glory
He can mark each mourner’s tear;
Loving to retrace the story
Of the hearts He solaced here;
Lord, when I am called to die,
Let me think of Bethany.

Jesus wept! that tear of sorrow
Is a legacy of love;
Yesterday, today, tomorrow,
He the same doth ever prove.
Thou art all in all to me,
Living One of Bethany.

-   J. R. MacDuff