LESSON 17: Jesus Who Weeps With Those Who Weeps

When someone we love is sick or dies, it makes us very sad. We feel this way because we love them, and they love us. So, if we feel sad when someone we care about is hurting, how much more do you think God feels sad when we are in pain?

Jesus loved a family in a place called Bethany. There was Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus. Jesus would visit them often. One day, Lazarus got very sick. Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus to tell him, but Jesus didn’t go right away. By the time He got there, Lazarus had died.

When Jesus arrived, it had been four days since Lazarus died. Martha ran to meet Him and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. But I know that even now, God will do whatever you ask.” Jesus told her, “Your brother will come back to life. I am the resurrection and the life.”

Then Martha went and called her sister Mary. When Mary saw Jesus, she fell at His feet and said the same thing Martha had said. Jesus asked to see where Lazarus had been buried. They took Him to the tomb.

When Jesus saw everyone crying, He also felt sad and cried too. He told them to roll away the stone that was covering the tomb. Martha said, “It’s been four days, and it will smell bad.” But she still trusted Jesus. She believed nothing was impossible for Him.

Jesus told everyone, “If you believe, you will see the glory of God.” Then He prayed to God, saying, “Thank you, Father, for hearing me. I know you always listen to me.”

After praying, Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” And Lazarus came out of the tomb alive! Jesus told the people to take the cloths off of him so he could be free.

Jesus did this amazing miracle to help Martha and Mary believe and to show everyone that God has great power. Even when we are sad or hurting, God is with us and understands our pain. And one day, God will raise us up, just like He did with Lazarus.