August 25 | Bible in a Year: Psalm 119:1–88; 1 Corinthians 7:20–40

What a Friend

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” John 11:36

READ John 11:25–36

It had been a few years since my friend and I had seen one another. During that time, he’d received a cancer diagnosis and started treatments. An unexpected trip to his town afforded me the chance to see him again. I walked into the restaurant, and tears filled both of our eyes. It’d been too long since we’d been in the same room, and now death crouched in the corner reminding us of the brevity of life. The tears in our eyes sprang from a long friendship filled with adventures and antics and laughter and loss—and love. So much love that it spilled out from the corners of our eyes at the sight of one another.

Jesus wept too. John’s gospel records that moment, after the Jews said, “Come and see, Lord” (11:34), and Jesus stood before the tomb of His good friend Lazarus. Then we read those two words that reveal to us the depths to which Christ shares our humanity: “Jesus wept” (v. 35). Was there much going on in that moment, things that John did and didn’t record? Yes. Yet I also believe the reaction of the Jews to Jesus is telling: “See how he loved him!” (v. 36 ). That line is more than sufficient grounds for us to stop and worship the Friend who knows our every weakness. Jesus was flesh and blood and tears. Jesus is the Saviour who loves and understands.

By John Blase

When did you last consider the humanity of Jesus? How does knowing that Jesus understands and shares your tears encourage you today?

Dear Jesus, thank You for being the One who saves and for also being the One who shares my tears.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The resurrection is an ancient Jewish belief. Job said, “After my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!” (Job 19:26 NLT). Jesus spoke of a coming day “when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again” (John 5:28–29 NLT). Martha affirmed this Jewish hope that Lazarus would “rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (11:24). But when Jesus said that Lazarus would “rise again” ( v. 23), He wasn’t merely referring to the future. He was also promising an immediate resurrection (vv. 43–44).