In the season of Lent, these two words speak with unusual weight. Lent is a season in which we as the Church slow down and faces what we would often rather avoid: suffering, sin, grief, and death. And here, in the shortest verse of Scripture, we see how deeply our Lord enters into all of it. Jesus stands at the tomb of Lazarus. He has delayed His coming and Lazarus has died. Martha has confessed her faith and Mary falls at His feet in sorrow. Together they weep. This is not weakness. Jesus knows that in moments He will call Lazarus out of the grave. Yet He does not stand apart from the pain. He does not rush past grief in order to get to the miracle. He weeps. The Gospel tells us He was “deeply moved” and “troubled.” There is sorrow here, but also something more. There is holy anger at death itself. Death is an enemy. It tears apart what God created for life. Death often wounds families, it silences voices, and it leaves hearts broken. “Jesus wept” tells us that God is not detached from our suffering. He is not cold or unmoved. The One who will soon walk toward Jerusalem, toward betrayal, and toward the cross is already entering fully into human grief. For us, this is deeply comforting. Our tears are understood by God Himself. When we sit in hospital rooms, when memories rise unexpectedly, or when loneliness presses in, God understands. Thankfully, Lent does not end in tears. At Lazarus’ tomb, weeping is not the final word. Jesus cries out, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man walks out of the grave. As we continue our Lenten journey, we follow the Lord. We walk with Him toward the cross. We do not deny suffering. But we do so trusting in God. Because of Jesus, our grief is not without hope. Our tears are seen and our sorrow is shared.
Pastor Ingrid van Sittert
