John xi. 35. Jesus wept. THE Holy Scriptures are, beyond all comparison, superior to any other book; in that they reveal to us truths which human reason could never have
explored, and administer consolations which no human composition could ever have imparted. But it is not merely on these accounts that they are to be valued. Taking them as records only, they are deeply in- teresting, because of the incidents which they bring to our view, and the simplicity which pervades the narration of them. The history of Joseph, for in- stance, stands unrivalled in this view in the Old Testament, as does the account of Lazarus in the New. By what is related concerning him, we are introduced into the bosom of a pious family, the happiness of which is interrupted for a time by the disease and death of its chief member ; and is after- wards exalted a hundred-fold, by the restoration of that person to life. We forbear to enter into the particulars of that history, as they may be read by every one at home : but we would call your attention to that particular incident mentioned in our text, " Jesus wept."
In these words we have,
I. A memorable occurrence —
Only reflect on the person of whom this is spoken. He was no other than our incarnate God; who, being absolutely perfect in every respect, was far above the reach of those passions with which we are apt to be transported, and had all his feelings in perfect subjection : yet of him it is said, that, at the grave of Lazarus, " he wept."
But from whence proceeded these tender emotions? They arose,
1. From sympathy with his afflicted friends —
[Such was his regard for Lazarus and his sisters, that his friendship for them was a matter of public notoriety3. And now that death had made an inroad on their happiness, and reduced the surviving sisters to deep distress, he could not but feel for them, and participate in their sorrows. In truth, sympathy is a necessary fruit of love, and altogether inse- parable from it. When, therefore, our Lord saw these friends weeping so bitterly, and their friends and attendants weeping
a ver. 3, 5.