Austin's Blog

Grief is universal, touching every heart at some point. We’ve all faced moments of loss, heartache, and deep sorrow. In John 11:28-37, we find a passage that speaks to the very core of our pain and sorrow, reminding us of a profound truth: we serve a God who not only has the power to raise the dead but also weeps with us in our pain.

When Martha tells Mary that Jesus has arrived, Mary immediately jumps up and runs to Him. Those around her assume she is headed to Lazarus’ tomb to weep. But Mary isn’t running toward death; she’s running toward the One who holds resurrection and life in His hands. In our grief, it’s tempting to run toward despair or dwell in the finality of death. However, like Mary, we are invited to run to Jesus—the source of life and hope.

When Mary reaches Jesus, she falls at His feet. This is the same Mary who had often sat at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him. Now, in her grief, she finds herself at His feet again, not to learn but to weep. This is the right place to be in times of sorrow—at the feet of Jesus. It’s where we are safe to bring our tears, confusion, and pain. In her heart, perhaps Mary is struggling with questions: “I thought You loved me and my family. Where were You?” But even in her questioning, she falls in reverence and desperation. Was there a better place on the planet than at His feet in this moment?

As Jesus witnesses Mary’s weeping and the grief of those around her, He is deeply moved. The language used here isn’t just about sadness. The Greek words suggest an intensity of emotion—outrage, anger, and agitation. Jesus is not indifferent to the suffering around Him. But why such strong emotions?

There are several possible reasons for Jesus’ deep reaction: Some suggest Jesus is upset by the unbelief expressed by Mary, Martha, and the Jews. In verse 37, some Jews question His ability, wondering if He could have saved Lazarus. Others suggest Jesus is moved by the loss of His dear friend Lazarus and the heartache it has caused those who loved him. He sees the grief of Mary and Martha and shares in their sorrow. Some interpret His emotion as anger toward sin, sickness, and death itself—the forces that have wreaked havoc in God’s creation. Jesus, knowing the perfection of God’s original creation, is outraged at the destruction caused by these enemies. Another suggestion is that Jesus is angered because this moment is forcing Him to confront the realm of Satan, represented by death. This moment draws Jesus closer to His impending confrontation with death on the cross. It could be that all these elements are at play. Jesus, fully human and fully divine, is experiencing the full weight of grief, pain, and sorrow caused by sin and death.

Before Jesus performs the miracle of raising Lazarus, He weeps. But this is not the same kind of weeping as that of Mary and the Jews. This is quiet weeping, a profound expression of God’s empathy and compassion. It shows us that even when God knows the outcome, He still enters into our pain with us. This moment reminds us that:

God Knows: He knows our suffering intimately.

God Sees: He sees every tear we shed.

God Cares: His heart is moved by our pain.

God Comforts: His presence brings comfort in our darkest moments.

God Carries: He bears the weight of our grief alongside us.

As my old mentor and friend Dr. Gary Greene once asked, “What is more profound? Having a God who can raise the dead or having a God who will weep with you in your pain?” We have both. We don’t have to choose between a powerful God and a compassionate God—we have both in Jesus.

Finally, as we see in the Jews’ response, some misinterpret Jesus’ actions, suggesting He might have wasted an opportunity to do something good. But they were wrong. In His time, Jesus exceeds all expectations by raising Lazarus from the dead. Sometimes in our grief, we might feel like God has missed an opportunity to intervene. Yet, like those around Lazarus, we need to give Jesus time—He always acts for our ultimate good and His glory.

Grief is a part of life in a broken world, but we do not grieve without hope. The story of Lazarus in John 11 reminds us that we can trust in a God who is not only all-powerful but also deeply compassionate. He enters into our pain, weeps with us, and moves to meet the deepest needs of our hearts. As we bring our grief to Jesus, we can rest in the truth that He knows, He sees, He cares, and He will act. In His time, He will exceed our expectations. Until then, we are not alone—He weeps with us.