“Jesus wept.” This is what Jesus did when he heard about the death of his friend Lazarus (John 11:3-45). It surely testifies to his humanity. Jesus is the Son of Man, our brother. He knows our struggles, our sufferings, our joys, our hopes, our pain, our grief. He is our compassionate companion, the one who walks alongside us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). It is his humanity that makes Jesus so approachable. We should never doubt that he is accessible and easy to reach.
Of course, at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus showed himself to be more than our brother. He brought Lazarus back to life, freed him from the chains of death. Jesus is the Son of God as well as the Son of Man. He is the Lord of creation, the one who has power over life and death. To Martha, the sister of Lazarus, he said, “I am the resurrection. If anyone believes in me, even though he dies he will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). On Easter Sunday Jesus himself broke the chains of death and rose to a new way of living and loving beyond our wildest imagining. Because of his resurrection he is the source of eternal life.
In life and in death we human beings are vulnerable and powerless. We need someone who can support us in our struggles and who can save us from annihilation. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus reveals himself as a compassionate Saviour. In life he is at our side as a faithful friend. In death he is our hope of risen glory. Among the great world religions Jesus is indeed unique. He is both the Son of Man and the Son of God, our brother and our Lord.
Jesus, I believe that you are my brother and my Lord. Love me in my imperfection. Strengthen me in my weakness. Guide me in my uncertainty. Forgive me in my failure. Celebrate with me when times are good. Carry me when they are difficult. And when I die give me a share in your risen life. Amen.