When Lazarus became sick, Mary and Martha sent a messenger to Jesus. They were extremely concerned about their brother. Jesus assured them that their brother’s sickness was not unto death “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” John 11:1-5
Knowing that Lazarus was to be raised from the dead, Jesus did not leave immediately. He tarried two days with his apostles. The apostles did not wish to return to Jerusalem, knowing of the disposition of the Jews and that they wanted to take Jesus. Therefore, when Jesus informed them that Lazarus was sleeping and that he must go and wake him, his disciples misunderstood and told him that if Lazarus was sleeping it was a good thing. Then, so that they could not misunderstand, Jesus said, “Lazarus is dead.” John 11:14
By the time Jesus arrived at the outskirts of Bethany, Lazarus had been in the grave 4 days.
While this process of events was necessary that Jesus might show that he had power over death, He is the only one who seemed to know this. He was following the Father’s plan, yet he was greeted by Martha first, then by Mary with the same words: “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21; John 11:32
With Mary at his feet weeping, Jesus “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,” John 11:33
Though He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead, he felt great compassion for Mary and Martha. And as the scripture states, “Jesus wept.” John 11:35
In our lives, we face trials and difficulties. Our Father in heaven does not choose to intervene every time and take away our problems. Yet he has provided a way of escape through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Still, it must be difficult to see us in our trials. This small verse in the Bible teaches us this reality. As I think of this passage, I can’t help but wonder, “How many times has Jesus wept for me?”
