563. JOH 11:35. CHRIST WEEPING AT THE GRAVE OF LAZARUS
Joh_11:35. Christ Weeping at the Grave of Lazarus
"Jesus wept."’97Joh_11:35.
We have previously contemplated Lazarus as the friend of Jesus, and have considered his decease under the striking emblem of sleep,’97we are now to advance in the narrative, and mingle with his weeping sisters and friends. In Joh_11:32, we have Jesus in the presence of the sisters, and listening to the sorrowful plaint of the affectionate Mary, who had said to him, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died," Joh_11:32. He was then brought into the midst of the weeping circle, which when he beheld, it is said he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, "Lord, come and see." He then proceeded with them to the grave of Lazarus, and it is written of him,’97Jesus wept. A more pathetic sentence never was inscribed’97so short’97so simple’97yet so comprehensive. A more natural inference could not have been drawn. When the Jews saw the tears of Jesus flowing, they said, "Behold how he loved him."
I. Let us ascertain the character of the tears of Jesus. And,
II. What lessons we are taught by them. I. The character of the tears of Jesus.
1. He wept as a man. We often insist on the divinity of the Lord Jesus. Cannot do so too extensively. It is one of the grand pillars of the Christian system. But it is equally important to remember his manhood,’97made of a woman, &c. Truly a descendant of Adam and of the seed of Abraham. Thus he had all our sympathies. God made the heart soft, that it might feel Tender, that it might sympathize. And surely there is enough in the death of any ordinary friend to produce distress of spirit and a stream of tears. It is not weakness, but true manliness, to weep on just and fitting occasions.
2. He wept as a friend. He loved Lazarus. He was one of his disciples, &c. With him he had repeated fellowship and communion of soul. The highest, the richest, and the sweetest communion. Death had rent in twain the kindly bond. For love is the bond of perfectness’97the cement of hearts’97the one atmosphere of united souls. We would feel for a dear friend in ordinary trouble. In ordinary conflicts. In ordinary sufferings. But who shall describe the agonies of death. The turbid stream of Jordan The severe conflict with the last enemy, &c. What a friend is Christ! But he was also the friend of the two sisters. Their griefs therefore were his.
3. He wept as the Saviour; the Son of God. He here beheld the power of sin’97 the degradation of man. The irreversible decree with respect even to the good and the pious. But, as the Saviour, he knew also of the infatuation of men in neglecting preparation for dying. The awful scenes which often immediately follow eternal death. The deep-rooted prejudice of the Jews who were about to witness the miracle, &c.
II. What lessons are we taught by it?
1. That even the beloved saints of Christ must die.
2. That grief at the death of friends is both a right and sacred feeling. Religion does not prohibit, it only moderates and sanctifies it. "Sorrow not as them without hope," &c. Here is the greatest example, &c.
3. That the death of saints is not overlooked by Jesus. He is the Lord of providence. Lord both of the living and the dead. Whether we live, &c. He orders all things. He doth all things well. He has the keys of death and the grave.
4. That death itself is subject to our blessed Lord. "I am the resurrection," &c. See him standing. Behold his countenance. Hear his voice. Watch its influence. How marvellous, &c. Think of the resurrection day. Time is expiring. Earth reeling. The heavens wrapped up as a scroll. Sun darkened. Moon turned to blood. Hearken to the angel’s blast. See the descending Saviour. Hear the omnific mandate. The earth bursts with life. Myriads’97myriads rise at his bidding. It is the first resurrection. Their vile bodies are like to Christ’s glorious body, &c. They ascend with him, and are so forever with the Lord, &c.
5. That Christ’s presence can alone sanctify the bereavements of life. In sickness, let us seek the especial presence and grace of Christ. Under bereavements, let us be solicitous to have the presence and grace of Christ. He alone can give strength to bear sorrow, to restrain its workings, and make it a blessing. He alone can be all to us when friends and kindred die. And he can be to us more than father or mother, or brother or sister’97for the true believer, "He is all, and in all." "The chiefest among ten thousand;" yea, all our salvation, and all our desire.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS