When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled. And He said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. ... Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. (John 11:33-35, 38a)

Some people think God has no feelings. I'm not sure how they can think that, when we see how Jesus reacts to Lazarus' death and his family's grief.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus saw them all weeping, "He was deeply moved in His spirit and deeply troubled." The Greek word for "deeply moved" seems to involve a lot more than sadness; it's agitation, even being stern or indignant. And then we see Jesus Himself crying. What is going on?

Of course Jesus knows that He's going to raise Lazarus from the dead. But knowing that isn't enough to stop the powerful grief He feels right now, looking at the tomb of someone He loves, and listening to the family cry. More than that, it doesn't stop the grief and anger God feels, seeing what the powers of death and evil have done to the human beings He made and loves. Jesus came into the world to put a stop to that suffering forever—and right now He's surrounded by it. No wonder He's moved!

And so He weeps. But then He raises Lazarus—just as He will raise us some day, when He returns to bring us home to Him forever. He can and will do that, because He gave up His own life on the cross to give us life. His resurrection guarantees our hope forever.

WE PRAY: I'm glad that You're moved for us, Lord. Keep us in Your love forever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

* Why would God feel anger at death?

* Is He angry at us, or for us?

* If God cares that much about what happens to us, what does that say about how He values you personally?

Lenten Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Today's Bible Readings: Numbers 17-19    Mark 15:1-25

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