Lessons We Learn FromJesus' Tears - TEARS FOR HIS FRIENDS

 In the winter of 32 C.E., Jesus good friend Lazarus got sick and died.  (John 11:13, 14) The man had two sisters, Mary and Martha, and Jesus loved his family very much.  The women were devastated by the loss of their beloved brother.  After Lazarus died, Jesus traveled to the village of Bethany, where Mary and Martha lived. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she rushed out to meet him.  Imagine the surge of emotions as she said: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." (John 11:21) Shortly afterward whe Jesus saw Mary and others weeping,, he "gave way to tears." - Read JOHN 11:32-36. 

Why did Jesus weep on that occasion?  Insight on the Scriptures answers:  "The death of his friend Lazarus and the resulting grief to Lazarus' sisters caused Jesus to 'groan and give away to tears.'" Jesus may have been thinking about the pain his dear friend Lazarus  experienced during his illnessa nd imagining how the man felt as he realized that his life was slipping away.  Jesus was surely also moved to tears on seeing how Mary and Martha were affected by the death of their brother.  If you have lost a close friend or a family  member in death, no doubt you have experienced similar emotions.  Consider three lessons you learn from this event. 

Next time: Lessons We Learn From Jesus' Tears - Conclusion of TEARS FOR HIS FRIENDS

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