There is something in this chapter that has always brought a question to my heart. Why did Jesus groan? Why was He troubled in Spirit? Why did He weep?
He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He knew that Mary, Martha and others would rejoice at having their brother back. So, why would He weep and be troubled in spirit?
I've read various entries from different authors about the reasons why. But none of them satisfy me.
The one thought that keeps coming back to me over and over again is that He was troubled because He knew that this act was going to be the cataclysmic act that would begin the tough road He would now have to travel. Sure enough, right after this act, the Pharisees now plot how they should kill Him; the passover is now at hand; and He is anointed at Bethany by Mary to prepare Him for His burial; and the triumphal entry occurs.
So, in answer to my above questions, I think that He groans because He knows He will have to endure pain, humiliation, mocking, being disfigured beyond recognition, and worst of all, separation from His Father for the hours it takes to suffer the sins of the world. He groans because He will leave those He loves and knows that they will be without Him. He has been a part of this beautiful creation that He Himself fashioned with His own hands, and now He must go.
I don't know... Fanciful thinking? What are your thoughts on this?
Nice Article! However, I take an opposing viewpoint; your take on the 'Jesus Wept' looks at it from an internalalizing viewpoint; Jesus thinking about himself is rare in the New Testament, and I prefer to look at it externally. Perhaps we'll never know the true reason that this verse was placed in the bible, but I see it as Jesus thinking of others. He isn't weeping for Lazarus, as Lazarus isn't there. He's dead, and (probably) having a great time up there in heaven. He isn't weeping for himself; why should he? He's about to reveal His true greatness and His power over Death. No; I think he's weeping for Mary and Martha. They've just lost their brother, and in their minds he is dead forever. They're hurting, and Jesus is feeling their pain. He knows what they'll be going through until He raises Lazarus, and he empathizes with them.
ReplyDeleteI think it will always be a difference of opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe words "groaned in the spirit" also has a meaning, according to the Greek Lexicon, that he was angered in the spirit.
Perhaps because of the lack of belief shown by the people. Maybe because he saw how the devil caused so much pain in the lives of people.
One commentary was that he wept because of the extreme emotions of what was happening.
Just my thoughts... hardly the "expert". :-)