Jesus wept.

It’s the shortest verse in Scripture, yet deeply profound. In these two words we find an entire theology, a Gospel message, and comfort. It reaffirms the humanity of our Jesus. It validates the tears that we often hide.

We all know the story of Lazarus. By the time in the story when Jesus is weeping, he is fairly clear about the fact He is going to raise Lazarus from the dead. Thus the tears are not necessary for grieving Lazarus. So, why the tears? Why does Jesus weep?

Perhaps the tears are a result of Jesus feeling the pain of grief on two close friends. Seeing the hurt in their own lives, the pain present in their eyes and their voices might cause Jesus to weep. He might hurt because two of his friends hurt, and when we really know somebody, their pain is also our pain.

Perhaps the tears are a result of Jesus knowing that soon these two women will be grieving his own death. As Jesus is dealing with them during this moment of grief, he had to realize that it would not be long until these two women would be grieving him, and at that point, he would not be there to comfort them. His tears might deal with future pain that he was not able to control or stop.

Maybe the tears are actually about death. Jesus is very aware that his own death is imminent at this point, and even for Jesus, this is a lot to handle. Death is never easy, death always carries a sting. Jesus might be crying over the reality of death, his own death.

It’s also possible that this is the moment loneliness hit Jesus. He realized that most of his followers would not follow him to the Cross. He realized that his own death would be a lonely experience. Maybe it’s the loneliness of being away from his Father. Maybe it’s the fact that he will miss this earthly life that he has adjusted to, he has found beauty in this thing most of us take for granted.

We can’t be sure what causes Jesus to weep. We can’t know what breaks his heart. But we can trust that Jesus did weep and his heart did break.

That might be one of the most comforting facts about our Jesus. Jesus knew pain. Jesus allowed pain to cause him to weep, openly in front of others.

So may the tears of Jesus comfort your own tears. May you live life with a heart that is vulnerable enough to feel pain and to be broken. May you weep when you need to weep.

May you be comforted that one day our weeping will turn into laughter. For now though, know we have a God who collects our tears and a Jesus who understands our tears.