John 11 is a familiar chapter where Lazarus dies and is raised from the dead. The chapter also contains the shortest verse in the English language: “Jesus wept” (11:35). This verse may be short, but it carries a lot of meaning. It shows Jesus’ burden for the lost.
(For more on John 11:35, check out my post Jesus Wept. Why We Should, Too.)
You see, I think in this passage, He’s weeping for a lot more than Lazarus. In verses 33 and 38, He groans in His spirit, first when He sees the grief of the others and again when the Jews begin to wonder why Jesus didn’t save Lazarus.
I think His groaning had a lot to do with their unbelief. They’ve witnessed miracles, and yet they doubt Him. It’s easy to say, “Silly Jews. Why didn’t they believe?” But we doubt Him all the time. And He knew we would.
He also knew that death was never supposed to be part of the equation. But when sin entered the world, death came with it. So Jesus came to save us from our sins, but He knew not everyone would believe.
This is not the only time Jesus wept, either. In Luke 19:41, we see He wept as He went into Jerusalem. And Jesus is referred to as the Man of sorrows.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
– Isaiah 53:3-4
He came to save the lost (Luke 19:10), but the Jews, His own people, rejected Him (John 1:11). He carried our burden of sin even though He knew there would be those who wouldn’t believe. Knew there would be those who cursed His name. He loved us so much He died even for those He knew would reject Him. Because He knew we needed a Shepherd.
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
– Matt. 9:36-37
We should have a burden for the lost like Jesus did. The Great Commission is for everyone. Not just preachers or missionaries or Sunday school teachers. We are all called to spread the Gospel. And God gave us all gifts.
So let’s use those gifts to reach people. Whether it’s showing kindness to our neighbor or reading our children Bible stories. Let’s start seeing the whole world as a mission field. The home is the first mission we’re often placed in. But yours may include your workplace, Facebook and other social media accounts. Wherever God has placed us, let’s serve Him. Let’s share Him with others.
Let’s share Jesus’ burden for the lost.
