When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept.
John 11:33-35

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When was the last time you had a good cry? It can be hard to express emotions in this way—even when we want or need to. Tears are natural and normal, but so many of us resist releasing them freely. Perhaps this is because crying often catches us off-guard in unpredictable, unexpected moments. I’ll never forget the first time I sobbed uncontrollably as soon as the movie credits started rolling! Then there are moments when the timing seems right, but our heart and our tear ducts stay disconnected. For example, I still can’t believe I didn’t cry when my grandmother died.

In today’s passage, Christ walks into a very tense, emotionally charged scene after Lazarus was buried. Martha was angry that the Savior didn’t show up sooner. And Mary was weeping for the same reason. Instead of reacting to either of Lazarus’ sisters, Jesus let His deepest feelings surface and overflow by having a good cry. He humbly expressed bold, emotional vulnerability even though He knew that He’d perform a life-restoring miracle for Lazarus only moments later. As Jesus wept, He revealed His humanity, empathized with our world’s reality, and modeled emotional and spiritual maturity. We don’t know all the details of why He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled, but He clearly shed tears for and with the people He loved.

I wish it wasn’t true, but it’s still common to hear that only weak people shed tears. Some live by the myth that big boys and girls don’t cry. And for those who know better, we can feel frustrated or ashamed for not crying when it’s obviously called for. Honestly, we all need a good cry now and again, but emotional vulnerability is a tricky thing. I love that we get a glimpse into Jesus’ heart just before He raises His friend Lazarus from the dead. His unvarnished emotion in this painful moment is an exemplary reminder for us whether we’re comfortable being moved to tears or not.

Next Steps

In their book, The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God, Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III write:

“Emotion links our internal and external worlds. To be aware of what we feel can open us to questions we would rather ignore. For many of us, that is precisely why it is easier not to feel. But a failure to feel leaves us barren and distant from God and others.”

As you reflect on Jesus’ tears for Lazarus, how would you like to grow this year in your emotional vulnerability with God and others? Consider discussing with a trusted friend.