Jesus’ Compassion for His People in Sorrow - John

In the sermon titled "Jesus’ Compassion for His People in Sorrow", the passage from John 11:28–37 is explored to show how Jesus responds personally and passionately to the grief of those He loves. The narrative of Mary and Martha grieving the death of their brother Lazarus reveals a Savior who is not emotionally detached but deeply engaged in the sorrow of His people. Jesus meets His people in their grief with divine compassion, holy indignation, and personal love.

Jesus Cares for His People in Their Sorrow
Jesus initiates contact with Mary, calling her through Martha, showing His desire to comfort her specifically. When Mary comes to Jesus, she falls at His feet in tears, expressing her faith mixed with sorrow. Jesus does not rebuke her but receives her grief with grace. This illustrates that Jesus meets His people where they are, ministering to them individually and compassionately in their pain.

Jesus Is Deeply Moved by His People’s Sorrow
As Jesus sees Mary and others weeping, He is “deeply moved” and “greatly troubled.” The original language points to a mixture of deep emotion and anger—anger not at the mourners but at death itself. Jesus is grieved by the destruction and sorrow caused by sin and death. His emotional response reflects not weakness but righteous indignation toward the curse of death and the pain it inflicts on humanity.

Jesus Shares in the Sorrow of His People
Jesus asks where Lazarus has been laid, and then He weeps. His tears are not for Lazarus, whom He will raise, but for the suffering of those around Him. Unlike the cold detachment of false gods, Jesus enters into the sorrow of His people with real sympathy. His love is so evident that even the crowd notices, though some misunderstand the depth of His mission.

Applications:
Trust that Jesus understands and cares for you personally.
Remember that grief is not a sign of faithlessness—Jesus Himself wept.
Take your sorrow to Christ, who meets you with compassion, not condemnation.
Know that Jesus is angry at death—and He has defeated it.

Jesus meets His people in their grief not with distance but with divine compassion, showing that He is the Savior who weeps with us and overcomes for us.