The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 118

Ver. 85.-Tlie Saviour's tears. "Jesus wept." Who wept? Jeaue, the Son of God, the et.ernal Word, who was in the beginning with God, and who was God I What made him weep who is the Delight of heaven, and ever sets its golden harps to the tune of happiness and joy? What could bring tears into the eyes of him who wipes a way the teal'I! of thousands, and hushes the sighs of millions of the children of fate? How could he weep P In hnmau. ll&tlure, on hia way to the grave of a friend, we are told that JeBUB wept. Notice hie tears- . L A.s EXPRESSIONS oF BIB DEBP &Till'A.THY WITH-THE BIBTEBB. They,were in the depths of tllouble a.nd grief. They bad.lost:. L A-brother,.•· 'l'heir brother Lazarus was dead, and now in bis grave. A brother is one of the nearest and dearest relations·of life. It is not a neighbour or a friend that was cut off by death, but a brother. 2. .A.n only brother. To lose one out of many is a great trial, but in such a case there is an alleviating consideration-there are others to share the grief, and to whom wounded affection may still cling. But these sisters, as far as we can see, had lost their only remaining brother. AB they returned from the graves of dear ones before, they had Lazarus with them as the centre of their human e.fJections, the healer of their grief; but now he is under the cold hand of death. 8. .A. mod kind and good brother. Even the death of an undutiful and prodigal brother is keenly felt, for he is a brother in spite of all. But the death of a good brother is more keenly felt still. Lazarus was a model brother. The natural relationship was intensined and endeared by sweetness of temper, kindness and goodness of nature, and piety of character, which made him not only their support, but their chief solace and runshine. 4. Jesus deeply sympathiud with them. (1) With their personal, and social loss and grief. They were left lonely and undefended in the world. (2) With their utter helplessness in the face of death. In themselves they were entirely helpless in this circumstance. They could do nothing but weep, and he wept with them. (3) He sympathized, as they represented the grief atnd ber._ts of fJi,e whole Jwmam family. The death of Lazarus was only a specimen of the ravages and the UDiversal reign of the "king of terrors n on earth, which he had come to abolish; and the grief of these sisters was only a specimen of the universal grief of the human race whose nature.he had assumed, and whose sorrow he carried; and he could not contemplate all this without expressing his sympathy. 5. Tliis expression of sympathy its most tender. Jesus was not only sympathetic, but most tenderly 11ympathetic with all human woes. Many have sympathy, but they manifest it awkwardly aud even roughly; it is spoilt in transmission. But Jesus manifested his sympathy with these 11isters most tenderly; he conveyed it to them in tears. "Jesus wept." . !L .AJs EXPRE881ONS 01' BTJlONG AND GE?.'UINE Fnmm>BRIP. Jesus wept, not only in sympathy with the bereaved sisters, but in friendship to their departed brother. 'l'he Jews were right for once in their interpretation of Jesus when they said," Behold how he loved him!" La.r.arus was the special friend of Jesus. '!'heir friendship was not loug. 1. It was 1>ery intimat,e and sincere. It was the highest and purest friendship, arising from a general agreement in temper, taste, character, principles, and sympathies. In Lazarus Jasns could see his image; and in Jesus Lazarus could see a perfect Model, aud all that his heart could wish. So intimate and sincere was the friendship, that Je11ue could not refrain from weeping for the temporary separation of his friend. And his were not mercenary tear&-he was 11.ot a paid mourner-but they were tears of genuine fri~udship. 2. It waa w:ry t1aluable. The friendship of Lazarus was very valuable to JeMW! duriug his active miuilJtry. Hill Coes were many, but his friends were very few; he had owy oue L&zarua. Many a time had he 1heltered from tho storm under the on, n. 1-57.] TIIE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 123