Jesus Wept / Jesús Lloró
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Today we gather with the Salvador Camargo family to pay our last respects to their son, Juan Salvador.
It has truly been a difficult week for his father, mother, sisters, aunts / uncles, cousins, grandparents, and many many friends.
It has been a week of many tears because the news was so shocking and the pain has been very deep.
What is the purpose of a funeral service?
We gather to pay our last respects.
We gather to show our support to the hurting family.
However, as a minister of the gospel, it is my goal that this service would offer us a word of comfort and hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What could possibly comfort a parent at the loss of child?
We try to find the words that could possibly bring comfort, and we come up empty.
We rehearse the phrases we’ve heard others use, and realize they are not enough to soothe the pain.
For this reason, we look to the word of God, which contains words that can truly bring comfort and hope.
Today, we direct our attention to the shortest verse in the Bible, John 11:35 and 36.
Jesus wept.
Jesús lloró.
In this scene, Jesus is as the graveside of one of his most beloved friends, Lazarus.
Four days ago, Lazarus had become extremely ill and his friends went looking for Jesus.
Jesus, who could have healed him, was a three days journey away from Bethany, where Lazarus was ill unto death.
It was a desperate situation, otherwise they would not have gone looking for Jesus. They knew that if he was there, he could have miraculously healed him.
Tragically Lazarus died.
It seems like it was extremely unexpected for we are not told that he had been ill for some time.
It took everyone by surprise.
When Jesus arrives, all he can see is a hurting community:
Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ sisters are devastated.
His neighbors are also mourning as they could not believe the news of his death.
Jesus asks to be taken to his grave.
“Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
«¿Dónde lo pusieron?», preguntó Jesús. «Señor, ven y ve», le dijeron*.
It is at this point that John the gospel writer tells us that Jesus wept!
Jesus, who is truly God and truly man, completely understands this desperate situation - the man who they all loved was no longer with them.
Jesus sees their pain.
Jesus sees the community weeping for Lazarus.
Jesus sees Mary and Martha who are now left alone wondering how could they go on living without their beloved brother.
…and this provokes Jesus’ reaction - leading him to weep.
This scene teaches us important lessons.
Death hurts. The death of someone we love breaks our heart. We cannot help but weep.
We cannot help but weep when we see others that are hurting.
So as we gather with the Salvador Camargo family, do not be ashamed to weep.
Death hurts especially when we loose one of our own.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
—¡Miren cuánto lo quería!—dijeron los judíos.
The religious Jesus of Jesus’ day could not help but come to the conclusion that the reason why Jesus was weeping was because he had a special relationship / affection with Lazarus.
Lazarus was a dearly beloved friend.
Therefore, do not be ashamed to weep especially if you knew Juan.
He was a brother.
He was a son.
He was a dear friend to many of you hear today.
It is ok to weep because you have lost someone who was extremely precious to you.
There is however another reason why Jesus wept.
Lazarus would not be the last person to die.
At some point, Mary and Martha would also pass away.
At some point the religious Jews would die.
At some point even Jesus would die.
One day, we too shall die.
Please try to understand that Jesus, who is God in the flesh, knows all the events in human history before they come to pass.
Jesus is very well aware of all those who have died from COVID-19.
Jesus is aware of all those who today are on their deathbed.
Jesus is aware of the day and the hour of our own death.
Today, we gather to mourn the loss of Juan Salvador and yet many others are gathering to mourn the loss of their loved ones.
I am convinced that Jesus wept as he considered the pain that death will continue to bring upon humanity.
Year after year, month after month, week after week, day after day - we realize that we are approaching the moment of our own death.
…and why does death exist?
At the end of the day, the Bible, which is the word of God, teaches us that death exists because of human sin.
Without human sin there would be no death.
Because our first parents, Adam and Eve sinned, and because we also sin, we cannot avoid death.
Death will be an ever present reality so long as we live in this world.
If we were to end this sermon, we would leave this place without any hope. For this reason, I want us to consider what the Bible says about the tears that we are shedding this day:
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Él les enjugará toda lágrima de los ojos. Ya no habrá muerte, ni llanto, ni lamento ni dolor, porque las primeras cosas han dejado de existir.»
The same Jesus, that wept at Lazarus’ tomb, the same Jesus that died upon the cross, will one day wipe away our tears.
This is our comfort, that if we believe in Jesus Christ, we shall face death, but there will one day come a day when Jesus Christ will wipe away our tears and do away with death, pain, and sorrow.
There will come a day, where all those who have trusted in Jesus Christ will never ever have to organize a funeral again, for we will live for all eternity with our beloved Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and all those who trusted in him for forgiveness of their sins and eternal salvation.
Do not leave this place without hope.
Believe in Jesus Christ.
Put your trust and faith in him.
…and he will comfort you in the coming days, but most of all he will give you hope beyond the grave.
