Real Men Don’t Cry, But Jesus Did.
The Humanity of God's Holy Son.
Two memories of my youth, my parents telling us to not cry or they would give, us a reason to and growing up in the 60s and 70s Evangelical Fundamentalist Movement a “godly child” would be able to regurgitate random bible verses on demand. John 11:35 was never one of them.
It is, for me, the most powerful verse in all scripture; “Jesus wept.” Ride or Die is the modern vernacular along with BFF and others to describe a relationship between “besties.” In verse three the wording is, “…the one who you love…”. Who was Lazarus of Bethany? Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Mary, the one rebuked for anointing Jesus’ feet with oil using her hair and Martha of the kitchen, who’s lament about her sister Mary lack of help was corrected by Jesus. The three, especially the sisters, are mentioned several times in the Gospels and are an integral part of Jesus’ ministry.
I can see Jesus and Lazarus sitting under the shade of a tree, sipping some wine, telling tall tales, discussing the world’s issues, always enjoying each other’s company. Jesus is away on business when he receives an urgent message that “the one that you love”, was gravely ill. Jesus, the Son of God, the omnipotent Creator of all knew what was to come and says, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Jesus knew the outcome already. He knew Lazarus would die and he, Jesus, would raise Lazarus from the dead.
Jesus wept.
Jesus waited two days before starting to walk to Bethany. Jesus was assuring all that Lazarus was just sleeping and Jesus was coming to awaken him. Jesus knew the outcome. When Jesus arrives in Bethany the whole force of the Jewish mourning tradition is in full swing. Jesus, who knew that in moments he would call out to Lazarus and Lazarus would walk out of the tomb alive was, “greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved.”
“And became human,” as we say in the Nicene Creed. Jesus, forty days in the blistering heat of the desert. Jesus, tempted by Lucifer himself. Jesus, Son of God, “with whom I am well pleased.” In a moment of human emotion so overwhelming that even though he knew the outcome, wept. Jesus, felt grief, overwhelming grief.
I’ve been asked many times over the years why I believe. What makes it for you? I believe because my Savior is just like me. He experienced physical and emotional pain on levels we’ll never know. He didn’t come in overwhelming glory. He was just like me, homeless, wandering around, hanging with the “dregs of society,” feeling every pain and every victory along the way. Jesus never succumbed to the temptations of life as I have, but he experienced them as I have.
Ride or Die, Amen