Godly Compassion
John 11:28-37
In the raising of Lazarus, Jesus told his disciples the Son of God would be glorified so that they would believe in him. This glory is grounded in Jesus being “the resurrection and the life” and later demonstrating that by raising Lazarus. But his glory was also seen in his delay in coming at the request of Martha and Mary. Today we see Jesus’ glory in his godly compassion. There is so much more to John 11:35, “Jesus wept,” than merely being the shortest verse in the Bible.
The Heidelberg Catechism begins with:
Q1: What is your only comfort in life and death?
An: That I am not my own, but belong body and soul, both in life and in death, to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ.
The Glory of Jesus’ Compassion
Presence (vs. 34 & Matthew 28:20)
Deeply moved in his spirit (vs. 33- anger over sin and death)
Greatly troubled (vs. 33 – over the pain of death and grief)
Unhindered expression of grief (vs. 35 – Jesus wept)
Wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41 – their rejection of Jesus)
Compassion on a widow (Luke 7:13 – raising her son)
Compassion on the crowds (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32)
Promises of comfort (Matthew 5:4 & Psalm 30:5)
Our Call to Compassion
Growing in a godly heart – (John 15:12 – love one another)
Cultural sensitivity to grief (vs. 31 & 33)
Weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15)
Affliction to Comfort to Comforting (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
GriefShare – Surviving the Holidays (insert to share)
