Jesus: Compassion and Anger in Our Grief
Summary
In John 11:28-37, we encounter Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus, surrounded by grief, confusion, and the raw ache of loss. The story is deeply human—Martha and Mary, devastated by their brother’s death, both express their pain to Jesus, saying, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus does not stand apart from their suffering. Instead, he enters into it, first with a deep anger and then with tears. His anger is not directed at the mourners or their lack of faith, but at the destructive power of death itself—the great enemy that was never meant to be part of God’s creation. Jesus’ tears are not the loud, performative wailing of the professional mourners, but a quiet, genuine expression of sorrow and empathy.
This passage reveals the heart of God: a God who notices our pain, who is moved by our suffering, and who responds with both righteous anger at evil and deep compassion for those who hurt. Jesus’ presence with Mary and Martha in their grief is not just a comfort, but a demonstration of his solidarity with all who suffer. He does not offer platitudes or quick fixes; he sits with them, asks to be shown the tomb, and weeps. In doing so, he dignifies human sorrow and models a compassion that is active, not passive.
Compassion, as seen here, is not simply feeling sorry for someone. It is noticing suffering, being moved by it, and then acting to alleviate it. Jesus’ anger at death and his tears for Lazarus are two sides of the same coin: a passionate commitment to justice and a tender heart for the broken. This is the compassion we are called to emulate—a compassion that notices, feels, and responds. In our own moments of despair, we are invited to come to Jesus honestly, to bring our raw questions and pain, knowing that he understands and shares in our suffering. And as we receive his compassion, we are called to extend it to others in tangible, meaningful ways, bridging despair to hope and brokenness to restoration.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus’ anger at the tomb of Lazarus reveals a righteous indignation against death and the brokenness caused by sin. His response is not frustration with people’s lack of faith, but a deep disturbance at the intrusion of death into God’s good creation. This anger shows that God is not indifferent to evil, but is moved to confront and ultimately defeat it. [55:53]
- The compassion of Jesus is not a distant or abstract feeling, but a lived reality. He notices the pain of Mary and Martha, enters into their grief, and weeps with them. His tears are a quiet, authentic expression of empathy, showing that God is present with us in our suffering and does not minimize our pain. [01:04:40]
- True compassion involves three facets: noticing suffering, feeling it deeply, and responding with action. Jesus models this perfectly—he sees the sorrow, is moved by it, and then acts to bring comfort and, ultimately, resurrection. Our calling is to practice this same pattern in our relationships, moving beyond mere sympathy to active, sacrificial love. [49:55]
- Jesus’ interactions with Mary and Martha break cultural and religious barriers, affirming the value and dignity of all people. He calls Mary personally, inviting her to leave the house of mourning and come to him, demonstrating that his compassion is inclusive and relational. In our own lives, we are invited to approach Jesus with honesty and vulnerability, trusting that he welcomes us as we are. [55:16]
- Mourning and grief are not signs of weak faith, but part of the human experience that Jesus himself embraced. His presence with the grieving sisters, and his own tears, dignify our sorrow and remind us that God meets us in our darkest moments. As we receive his comfort, we are empowered to offer genuine compassion to others, participating in God’s work of restoration. [01:06:07]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[39:20] - The Universality of Suffering and Loss
[40:44] - Jesus’ Deep Love and the Significance of His Tears
[43:04] - Understanding Compassion: Noticing, Feeling, Responding
[48:03] - Modern Perspectives on Compassion
[49:55] - Jesus’ Compassion in Action
[55:16] - Mary’s Honest Grief and Jesus’ Invitation
[55:53] - Jesus’ Righteous Anger at Death
[58:32] - Examples of Jesus’ Anger in the Gospels
[59:49] - Righteous Anger and the Value of People
[01:01:38] - Cleansing the Temple: Anger at Barriers to God
[01:03:24] - Compassion and Anger in Healing
[01:04:40] - Jesus’ Tears: Empathy and Hope
[01:06:07] - Jesus’ Presence in Our Grief
[01:07:52] - Practicing Compassion in Daily Life
[01:09:29] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: John 11:28-37 – The Compassion of Jesus
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### Bible Reading
- John 11:28-37 (Main passage)
- Mark 3:1-6 (Jesus’ anger at religious hardness)
- Hebrews 4:14-16 (Jesus as our compassionate High Priest)
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 11:28-37, what emotions does Jesus display when he arrives at the tomb of Lazarus? How are these emotions described differently from those of the mourners? [[40:44]]
2. What does Jesus do when Mary comes to him in her grief? How does he respond to her and the others who are mourning? [[49:55]]
3. According to Mark 3:1-6, what situation causes Jesus to become angry, and what does he do in response? [[58:32]]
4. In Hebrews 4:14-16, what is said about Jesus’ ability to understand our weaknesses and suffering? [[01:06:07]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon describes Jesus’ anger at the tomb as “righteous indignation” against death and the brokenness caused by sin. Why is it important that Jesus’ anger is not directed at people, but at death itself? [[55:53]]
2. The difference between Jesus’ tears and the wailing of the mourners is highlighted in the sermon. What does this difference reveal about the nature of Jesus’ compassion? [[40:44]]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus’ compassion is active, not passive. What does it mean for compassion to move beyond feelings into action, according to the example of Jesus? [[49:55]]
4. Hebrews 4:14-16 says Jesus understands our weaknesses. How does this truth affect the way we approach God with our pain and questions? [[01:06:07]]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says that Jesus notices suffering, is moved by it, and responds. Think of a recent time when you noticed someone’s pain. Did you feel moved to respond? What did you do, or what held you back? [[49:55]]
2. Jesus’ anger was directed at the destructive power of death and not at people’s lack of faith. When you feel anger about suffering or injustice, how do you usually respond? How can you channel that anger in a way that reflects Jesus’ example? [[55:53]]
3. The sermon points out that Jesus’ tears were a quiet, genuine expression of empathy. Are you comfortable expressing your own sorrow or sitting with others in theirs? What makes this difficult or easy for you? [[40:44]]
4. Jesus invited Mary to come to him honestly, with all her grief and questions. Is there an area of your life where you need to bring your raw pain or questions to Jesus? What might it look like to do that this week? [[55:16]]
5. The sermon says that mourning and grief are not signs of weak faith, but part of the human experience that Jesus embraced. How have you experienced or witnessed this in your own life or in others? [[01:06:07]]
6. Jesus’ compassion led him to act—he went to the tomb, he wept, and he brought comfort. What is one tangible way you can show active compassion to someone in your life this week? [[01:07:52]]
7. The sermon challenges us to move beyond sympathy to sacrificial love. Is there a relationship or situation where you sense God calling you to take a step of sacrificial compassion? What might that step be? [[49:55]]
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Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Shares in Our Grief and Sorrow
Jesus is not distant from our pain; He enters into our suffering with deep compassion and empathy. When Mary and those around her mourned the loss of Lazarus, Jesus did not stand apart—He was moved by their grief, wept with them, and demonstrated the profound love of God for His people. In our own moments of despair, we are invited to come to Jesus just as we are, knowing that He understands and carries our burdens with us. His presence in our sorrow is not passive; He is attentive, caring, and ready to comfort us in our darkest hours. [43:04]
John 11:28-37 (NLT)
Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” So Mary immediately went to him. Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked them. They told him, “Lord, come and see.” Then Jesus wept. The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
Reflection: In your current or past grief, have you honestly brought your pain to Jesus, trusting that He truly understands and shares in your sorrow? What would it look like to do that today?
Day 2: Jesus’ Righteous Anger at Death and Injustice
Jesus’ response to suffering is not only compassion but also righteous anger at the brokenness and injustice caused by sin and death. He is deeply troubled by the pain and loss that humanity endures, and His anger is directed at the destructive power of death—the enemy of God’s creation. This righteous anger reveals God’s heart for justice and His desire to restore what has been broken. Jesus’ emotions show that it is right to be grieved by the effects of sin and to long for God’s restoration. [55:53]
John 11:33 (NLT)
When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled.
Reflection: Where do you see brokenness or injustice in your life or the world that stirs a righteous anger within you? How might you bring this to God in prayer and action today?
Day 3: Compassion in Action—Noticing, Feeling, Responding
True compassion involves more than just feeling sympathy; it is noticing the suffering of others, feeling their pain, and responding with love and practical help. Jesus models this perfectly—He sees the pain of Mary and Martha, feels it deeply, and moves toward them to bring comfort and hope. We are called to follow His example by being attentive to those around us, allowing our hearts to be moved, and taking steps to alleviate their distress, however small those steps may seem. [48:03]
Matthew 25:35-36 (NLT)
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.
Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing pain or need right now? What is one specific way you can notice, feel, and respond with compassion to them today?
Day 4: Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses
Jesus, our great High Priest, fully understands our weaknesses and temptations because He has experienced them Himself. He is not a distant or unfeeling Savior; He invites us to come boldly to Him, confident that we will receive mercy and grace in our times of need. In every trial, we can approach Him honestly, knowing that He is both able and willing to help us, having walked the path of human suffering Himself. [01:07:52]
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Reflection: What weakness or struggle are you facing today that you have hesitated to bring to Jesus? Will you come boldly to Him now, trusting in His understanding and grace?
Day 5: Leaving Everything to Come to Jesus
Mary’s response to Jesus’ call was immediate—she left behind the house of mourning and all expectations to meet with her Lord. Jesus desires this same depth of relationship with each of us, inviting us to come to Him in our rawness and vulnerability, especially in times of sorrow. When we respond to His call, we find not a distant or indifferent God, but One who meets us with love, understanding, and hope. [55:16]
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Reflection: Is there something you are holding onto in your pain or sorrow that keeps you from coming fully to Jesus? What would it look like to leave it behind and seek Him today?
Quotes
Offering a cup of water to someone thirsty, sharing a meal with someone hungry or encouraging someone who feels invisible. These actions may seem ordinary, but they hold eternal significance. Through them we participate in Jesus's work of bridging despair to hope, poverty to provision, and brokenness to restoration. [01:08:22] (28 seconds)
This high priest of ours understands our weaknesses for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. Lord, there we will receive his mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. [01:07:27] (24 seconds)
Jesus' empathy, he is strong, real, compassionate, as he seeks to bring comfort by his presence to those that mourn. He can do so because he experienced it, but with a hope that he knows what will come next. So, his weeping is more hopeful. [01:05:14] (26 seconds)
When in despair, come to Jesus. Talk as a brother or sister. Mary and Martha have been saying, why, why, why Lord? And you can do the same. And Jesus is there and he will answer your call. [00:55:27] (23 seconds)
Jesus was angry and troubled at the destruction and the power of the great enemy of humanity, death, which we read more, we heard more about last week. Jesus would soon break that dominating power of death. [00:56:54] (15 seconds)
He is experiencing a deep disturbance at how physical death brought about by the consequences of sin from the fall. The physical death is not how God wanted or had intended his creation to be. We were in perfect union with the Father until sin entered the world and the power of sin brought destruction on his creation. [00:57:32] (27 seconds)
Jesus' response.is that he comes, he gives words of comfort, he asks to be taken to where they have laid Lazarus to rest. He's in there in the trenches with his friends despite the surrounding criticism and the expectation. He accompanies his friends to the tomb and despite this he remains with them in their hour of need. [01:06:24] (27 seconds)
So Jesus has a righteous anger over preventing others coming to him by tradition, by faith, by culture. This is where righteous anger occurs. [01:02:39] (16 seconds)
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