It is the shortest verse in the Bible. It is the one verse that everyone has memorized, but may not be able to cite. John 11:35: “Jesus wept”. But why did He weep? I’ll attempt to explain why and possibly fix a little bit of theology along the way.
To understand why Jesus wept, we have to look at two related stories. The first one is about Mary and Martha which you have no doubt heard countless times and in various ways. It is a powerful and poignant story. One that I’ll need to recount to set the context.
Mary & Martha
It’s the story of two sisters; one distracted from too much serving and the other sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His teaching (Luke 10:38-42). If you’ve been a Christian long enough, you have heard many sermons about these sisters. The story has really spoken to me over the years as I’ve struggled with the whole works-based mentality. I’ve had a tendency to be anxious and troubled about many things when I should choose the good thing.
I believe Mary knew that there were things to be done. However, she chose to be at the feet of Jesus. She understood what was more important. She wasn’t worried about impressing Jesus by making sure everything was perfect. She just wanted to hear His words. She wanted to be close to Him.
Martha gets a bad rap but I completely empathize with her plight. If she doesn’t get things done, who will? The problem I’ve had is leaning too far towards the “responsible” end. So much that I’ve missed out on fun and enjoyable things because I was “getting things done”.
I don’t think Mary was irresponsible in the sense that she didn’t think those other things needed to be done. She just understood the “good portion”. Sometimes you have to just let things be so you don’t miss out on the “one thing necessary”. I love how Jesus says that it will not be taken away from her.
Death of Lazarus
With this account of Mary & Martha at the forefront of your mind, let’s look at another passage. John 11 tells the miraculous story of when Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. This is where we find another encounter with Jesus and the two sisters. The results are much more dramatic.
At the beginning of the chapter Lazarus is ill and the sisters send for Jesus to come. The author makes a point of identifying Mary as the one “who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair”. I’ll get back to that.
Jesus tarries for two more days before coming to Bethany to see Lazarus. He tells the disciples that he is well aware that Lazarus is dead and that He is going to raise him from the dead. By the time Jesus arrives, Lazarus had been dead for four days.
Jesus encounters both sisters and while they say the same exact thing to Him, the replies are very different.
Martha’s Theology
While Jesus was about two miles away, Martha goes out to meet him while Mary stays at the house (interesting). Let’s look at the interaction. It is a bit long but you really have to see what happens here:
“Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:21-27
I don’t know about you but I read this in a very matter-of-fact tone. At first glance, it looks like Martha is saying all of the right things. Lazarus is dead but she professes that even still, anything that Jesus asks, God will give. She even gives some solid theology about the resurrection. I look at that and give her props! Good word, Martha!
But Jesus knows the heart. Look at what He asks her. He says “I am the resurrection…Do you believe this?” (emphasis mine) Again, her response is spot on. But why did Jesus ask her that in the midst of her mourning?
I believe He wanted to address her theology. Hers was a theology of the mind. She said all the right words but she didn’t know His heart. You can’t tell this by her words but Jesus knew Martha’s heart. She was the one that lost sight of the “one thing that is necessary”. I believe that one thing is intimacy with Jesus.
Mary had it, let’s look at her encounter with Jesus.
Mary’s Heart
Mary's Heart
Notice that in verse 28 Jesus calls for Mary. Again, interesting difference in how Martha went out to Jesus with her words.
Okay now check this out, Mary says the exact same thing that Martha says to Jesus. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus saw her weeping and “He was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled”. After He asks where they have laid Lazarus, we see the shortest verse in the Bible:
Jesus wept.
My heart is pumping hard in my chest just writing this. Jesus is overwhelmed with compassion in His heart. He weeps with Mary in her hour of despair. He loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus intensely. He knew the very thing He came for was to raise Lazarus from the dead. And still, He wept.
Mary’s response to Jesus wasn’t in an attempt to have the “right” answer. She believed that if Jesus was there, He would have healed Lazarus. Jesus didn’t need to correct her theology. Mary had the theology of intimacy. She knew His heart. I believe that is what moved Jesus to weep.
Identity & Access
Last week I talked about how John’s intimacy with Jesus was what gave him access to know what Jesus was doing before anyone else. I believe here Mary has access to Jesus’ heart.
Mary’s love wasn’t based on intellectual theology or book knowledge. It was more than just knowing the facts about why Jesus came and what kind of power He has. It was more than serving or works. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His teaching but more than that, she anointed him with oil and wiped his feet with her hair. She moved His heart with her love.
Now I am all for loving Jesus with my mind. I spent years studying theology and I still love it to this day. But knowing facts and knowing the person of Jesus Christ are two very different things. It concerns me when information about Jesus is exalted about revelation of Jesus’ love for us.
Experience with Jesus is being sacrificed on the altar of intellect.
I am a firm believer that our identity is rooted in His love for us. Knowledge is great but it also puffs up while love builds up (1 Cor 8:1). If a relationship with Jesus is not rooted and grounded in love, it is just a clanging cymbal.
Jesus’ response to the sisters is telling. He responds to theology with even better theology. He responds to love with even deeper love.
He tells Martha that one thing is necessary. Will you choose the good portion?
Great thoughts! For such a short verse it carries a deep meaning. Love is nothing short of amazing. Thank you for sharing!
Rachel recently posted..Living Less Than Satisfied
Thank you so much, Rachel. And thanks for reading!
This was a great post, Tony. It added some clarity to some of my own questions.
This is my first time visiting your blog and your passion for theology is so evident. Thanks for taking some time to share that with us!
Thanks so much, Ryan!
Good post. Jesus’ weeping always seemed a bit disingenuous since He knew He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Your post puts it in a better light. Thanks!
Jeremy Myers recently posted..I Have a Dream
Thanks Jeremy! I know it was a pretty big perspective shift for me when I saw it in this light!
I love this. One of the classes I am in at college is Biblical interpretation and you are doing a great job here. I love exegesis.
Thanks Paul. I heard this in a teaching and studied it out for myself. It really changed a lot in my heart!
Hey, I never came back to comment on this…but wanted you to know this is fabulous. Thanks.
Thanks Ryan!
“Sometimes you have to just let things be so you don’t miss out on the “one thing necessary”. ”
Woah, this line got me. I paused and almost didn’t keep reading but wanted to camp out on this for awhile. I love how your posts have gotten so meaty and it’s just pouring out of you. Beautiful, Tony.
Thanks Jenn. That’s really encouraging. I know they have been long so I appreciate the investment of your time!
That’s a good word, Tony! Amen. Intimacy moves the heart of God where our pat answers and theological rightness cannot. I think you’ve inspired me to write a post I’ve been sitting on for a while.
Nice! Can’t wait to read it!
I’m with Kristin. God is really speaking to me today through some posts. Today is a really big day for me, because today I am quitting my job in DC and moving on to something that I know God is calling me to. It’s been a tough decision, but what it comes down to is my heart. Not my mind. Intellectually speaking, my decision is risky. As I’ve told people today that I am leaving and what my plans are, I am getting a lot of the same questions. Many of the questions are basically saying to me, “Have you really thought about this?” The answer is yes, yes I have…a lot. But in the end, as much as I pray, discuss, and plan, the decision to take a step out in faith can never be made with my mind. You can’t make a “plan” for God to move in your life. The decision has to be made in my heart. I am so excited to see God move in my life. I basically can’t wait. And not just for me, but for everyone that is watching to see what will happen. I’ve had my wings clipped for too long because of pride, fear, and comfort keeping me in the wrong place. Today is the day. Awesome post, Tony!!!!
Whoa, come on Katie! Follow your dreams! I love to hear stuff like this!
I wish I could say I was more like Mary, but I am very much a Martha. And the thing is that I actually desire to just sit at His feet and soak it all in, but life gets in my way and I think, if I don’t do it, who will? So I get busy and lose my focus. This is such a good post Tony and I love reading your heart and your thoughts in each of these!
Thanks April!
Solid treatment of the portion of Scripture with a good point! Thanks for the words and for the time spent in study.
It is all about love.
“It’s all about love”. That may be one of my favorite sentences ever.
“Theology of Intimacy.” I like that. I agree with you on this. Our theology shouldn’t be confined to all the knowledge we have about God. There is too much to comprehend! Our theology should instead produce an intimacy in our relationship with Christ. Thanks for this.
Absolutely man, thanks for stopping by today.
“Theology of Intimacy.” I like that. I agree with you on this. Our theology shouldn’t be confined to all the knowledge we have about God. There is too much to comprehend! Our theology should instead produce an intimacy in our relationship with Christ. Thanks for this.
I love how when God really has a word for you, you see it cropping up everywhere. After writing my post today about resurrection and reading this here about Lazarus, I know I’m going to have to spend more time on it, because it’s something I need to feel, even though I know.
I sometimes profess belief I don’t feel. I try to fake it til I make it. I’m trying to Martha when I should Mary.
I pray God lets you feel it in your bones!
Thank you for this– it’s a great examination.
I think that intelligent people can tend toward leaning on our own understanding, and what’s interesting is that the corollary to that is exactly what you’ve described here: Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…”
I think you nailed it, man.
Thanks TaMAra!
I really appreciate your feedback!
Tony. Home run brother! This was a fascinating post. I can tell you spent time in the Word and in your research. I loved how you dug into both Martha and Mary’s heart.
I remember someone once saying, Bible knowledge (Theology) outside of knowing the author is just head knowledge. But when you know the author and His words… oh, now that is powerful!
Thanks Moe! The first time I saw this I was blown away. Same words, different response.
Sometimes you have to just let things be so you don’t miss out on the “one thing necessary”
I think I struggle with this big time too. If I let things go, I don’t get to sit peacefully, I hear about it! It’s the nature of the beast, I suppose. But I get the point – sometimes we need to just sit and wait and not just understand theology, but put it to use. That’s hard sometimes. But necessary.
Put wheels on your love!
Great stuff. It reminds me of the tone of Don Miller’s work…when he talked about how when people try to argue theology intellectually, it just gets very boring, and is so far from the experience!
On the opposite side, the more I learn in general, the more it reinforces my faith. For example: I spent hours in the library on Saturday, researching my space-distances post. On Sunday, we did “Our God’ in worship, and I could not sing for crying. Because of what I’d learned.
Yes! It’s all about the motivation. Are you learning to have a head full of knowledge or are you learning because you love? I see your passion for science and I know you love it. You don’t read up to impress people with your knowledge. You’re just a science geek. Your passion makes me excited about it. THAT’s what it is all about.
It is all about God’s love. We are enabled to love because He first loved us. We cannot claim to know Him without knowing and living out His love.
Claiming love today.
It is all about God’s love. We are enabled to love because He first loved us. We cannot claim to know Him without knowing and living out His love.
Claiming love today.
I love it!
choosing that portion today.
Excellent stuff man.
Me too…at His feet. Thanks man.