3 Times that Jesus wept in the Bible

In the Gospel accounts of the New Testament, we find three distinct occasions where the Bible records the Lord Jesus Christ, weeping. These instances offer a profound glimpse into the heart of Jesus, revealing his genuine love, deep compassion, and holy nature as both true God and the perfect example of human nature.

The first occasion is found in the Gospel of John, where Jesus wept at the tomb of his dear friend Lazarus. Upon arriving in Bethany and witnessing the grief of Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus, Jesus was deeply moved by their sorrow. Despite knowing that he would soon raise Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating the glory of God and his power over eternal life, Jesus did not remain aloof or detached. Instead, the Bible tells us that "Jesus wept" (John 11:35), expressing the shortest verse in the English Bible with just two simple words that carry immense weight. These tears reveal Jesus' genuine love for Lazarus and his family, as well as his capacity for deep emotional connection and empathy. Even as the Son of God, Jesus embraced the human experience fully, allowing himself to be moved by the pain and loss experienced by those he loved.

Furthermore, Jesus' tears at Lazarus's tomb serve as a powerful reminder of his humanity. As the incarnate Word, Jesus took on human flesh and experienced the full range of human emotions [Blog: Feelings and Emotion in the Bible], including grief and sorrow. His tears were not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to his willingness to enter into the depths of the human condition, identifying with our struggles and sufferings. This event in the holy city of Jerusalem reminds us that Jesus is not a distant or detached Saviour but one who intimately understands our experiences and walks alongside us in our darkest moments.

The second occasion is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem during his triumphal entry on Palm Sunday. As he approached the holy city, surrounded by crowds waving palm branches and shouting praises in his name, Jesus broke down in silent tears, lamenting the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders and the impending destruction of the city. This poignant moment showcases Jesus' love for humanity and his desire for all to embrace the good news of salvation.

Despite the joyous reception and the acknowledgment of his messianic identity, Jesus' heart was heavy with the knowledge of the rejection and suffering that lay ahead. His tears were not for himself but for the people of Jerusalem, whom he loved deeply and longed to gather under his protective care, just as a hen gathers her chicks (Luke 13:34). Jesus wept over the city's failure to recognize the time of God's visitation and the impending judgment that would befall them due to their rejection of the Messiah.

These tears of sorrow and compassion reveal the depths of Jesus' love for humanity and his unwavering commitment to our salvation. Even in the midst of triumph and celebration, Jesus' focus remained on the spiritual needs of those around him. He wept over the spiritual blindness of the religious leaders and the hardness of hearts that would ultimately lead to his crucifixion. Yet, even in his tears, Jesus extended an invitation to repentance and a call to embrace the good news of the kingdom of God.

The third and final instance is found in the Book of Hebrews, where it is mentioned that Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to his loving Father in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives during Holy Week. Facing the wages of sin and the weight of his earthly life, Jesus wept great drops of blood, underscoring the depth of his anguish and the intensity of his suffering on our behalf.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced the full weight of the cross and the enormity of the sacrifice he was about to make. The Bible tells us that he was "in anguish of soul" (Matthew 26:38) and that his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44). This intense emotional and physical distress led Jesus to cry out to his Father with loud cries and tears, seeking strength and solace in the face of the immense burden he was about to bear.

Jesus' tears in the Garden reveal the reality of his human nature and the depth of his love for us. As the sinless Son of God, he willingly embraced the fullness of human suffering, taking upon himself the wages of sin and the ultimate cost of our redemption. His tears were not a sign of weakness but a testament to the agonizing sacrifice he was about to make, enduring the cross and the separation from his Father for the sake of our salvation.

Through these tears, we catch a glimpse of the heart of Jesus and the intensity of his love for us. He wept not only for himself but for the weight of human sin and the brokenness of our fallen world. Yet, even in the midst of his anguish, Jesus remained obedient to the Father's will, submitting himself to the ultimate sacrifice for our sake.

Through these simple words, we gain a deeper understanding of the humanity of Jesus Christ and the profound emotions he experienced during his perfect life on earth. His tears serve as a powerful reminder of his love for us, his compassion for the lost, and his willingness to embrace the pain and sorrow of the human experience.

As we reflect on these possible reasons for Jesus' tears, may we be inspired to follow his example and share in his heart for the world, allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate within us a genuine love for others and a commitment to spreading the name of the Lord.

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If you are stuggling with big emotions you can check out our Blog Post on the Benefits of Journalling.

Here is a beautiful Poem about these three verses by Christina Joy Hommes. POEM