August 27

Jesus wept. — John 11:35.

THE sisters at Bethany, had been called upon to witness the decease of their beloved brother, and had consigned him to the sepulchre, expecting no more to see him till the resurrection at the last day. But behold Jesus now directs his steps towards their habitation, and Martha hastens forth to meet her Lord. Then said she unto him "Lord, if thou hadst been here, our brother had not died." It almost seems as if she reflected on Christ's wisdom and kindness in not being with them earlier to save her brother. At any rate she greatly honored Jesus, for she not only acknowledged his divine power to have prevented death, but also said, "But I know that even now whatsoever thou asketh of God, God will give thee." Jesus then assured her that her brother should rise again, and after an affecting intercourse with the two holy-minded sisters of Bethany, he approaches the grave of Lazarus, and while standing at the tomb, "Jesus wept." Did he not thus sympathise with the afflicted sisters, weeping with them that weep, thus bearing a part of their burden and sorrow, and fulfilling his own royal law of love? did he not also, in the grave of Lazarus behold the sad effects of sin upon our race? He beheld that humanity, which was once clothed in beauty, arrayed in dignity, and blooming with immortality, prostrated, depraved, in a condition of the greatest humiliation, and all effected by the ravages of sin. His heart had been set upon man in creation, when he magnified him and made him but a little lower than the angels. But now he beheld the human temple desolated and in ruins: he saw him the victim of corruption and the conquered vassal of the King of terrors. Jesus never would have shed tears, but for human misery and woe. In himself he had the fountain of perfect happiness and unsullied joys. But for this end was he born and for this did he live and die, that he might be the companion, the friend, and the Saviour of dying men. In this Jesus hath sanctified the tears of afflicted and bereaved friends. But let us take care, that we sorrow not as those without hope. Be assured, your friends will arise again, and the bonds severed by death, shall be re-united in that blessed world,—

"Where sickness, sorrow, pain and death, Are felt, and fear'd no more."