Jesus Weeps: Compassion, Unbelief, and Our Calling

Summary

The story of Jesus weeping reveals the depth of his compassion and the pain he feels over unbelief, both in the world and among those closest to him. As we look at the moments when Jesus wept—at Lazarus’s tomb, over Jerusalem, and in the garden—we see a Savior who is deeply moved by the suffering, lostness, and hardness of heart he encounters. Even after performing miracles and fulfilling prophecies, Jesus was grieved that so many, including his closest friends, struggled to trust him fully. His tears were not just for the immediate pain of loss, but for the deeper wound of unbelief and the missed opportunity to experience the fullness of his resurrection power.

Jesus’s interactions with Mary and Martha at Lazarus’s tomb highlight this. Both sisters, even the one who sat at his feet, could not see beyond their crisis to the possibility of God’s intervention. Jesus allowed the situation to become truly hopeless by human standards, not to be cruel, but to reveal that he is the God of the impossible. Yet, even then, those closest to him could not believe. This wounded Jesus, not because he needed their faith for his own sake, but because he longed for them to experience the peace and assurance that comes from trusting him completely.

The same dynamic plays out in our lives. We often trust God in one crisis, only to falter in the next. We may praise him with our lips, but when trials come, we retreat into doubt and fear, wounding the heart of the One who loves us most. Jesus’s tears call us to a deeper, lifelong trust—a faith that endures beyond the immediate crisis and rests in his character and promises.

But Jesus’s compassion is not only for us; it is for the whole world. He weeps over cities, nations, and all who are lost or suffering. We are called to share in his heart, to be moved with compassion for those around us—whether they are our neighbors, people in distant lands, or those suffering in silence. To love God is to love people, to extend ourselves beyond our own needs, and to offer a shoulder to those who weep. In doing so, we reflect the heart of Christ and become agents of his hope and healing in a broken world.

Key Takeaways

- Jesus’s tears reveal his deep compassion and the pain he feels over unbelief, especially among those closest to him. He is not distant from our struggles but is moved by our pain and our inability to trust him fully, longing for us to experience the peace that comes from unwavering faith. [01:33:12]

- The story of Lazarus shows that God sometimes allows situations to become truly hopeless by human standards, not to punish us, but to reveal his power and invite us into a deeper trust. Faith is not just for the crisis at hand, but for a lifelong journey of believing that God is able, even when all hope seems lost. [01:32:26]

- Unbelief is not just a personal struggle; it wounds the heart of Christ. When we praise God with our lips but retreat into doubt during trials, we miss the opportunity to experience his resurrection power and grieve the One who has proven his faithfulness time and again. [01:34:39]

- True compassion means allowing ourselves to be moved by the suffering of others, just as Jesus was. It is not enough to offer words or prayers from a distance; we are called to enter into the pain of those around us, to love and care for them in tangible ways, reflecting the heart of Christ to a hurting world. [01:35:44]

- Our calling is to love God and love people, extending ourselves beyond our own needs and comfort. Every person matters to God, and we are sent into the world to be his hands and feet, offering hope, compassion, and the good news of Jesus to those in need—beginning with those right next to us. [01:47:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - The Power of One: Testimonies and Vision
[03:10] - Praying for the Nations and Our Leaders
[06:20] - Why Does Jesus Weep?
[09:05] - Jesus Weeps at Lazarus’s Tomb
[13:30] - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem
[18:00] - The Cost of Unbelief
[22:40] - The Wounds of Unbelief Among Friends
[28:15] - The Story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus
[34:00] - Jesus’s Compassion and Indignation
[38:00] - Lessons from Jesus’s Tears
[41:00] - Compassion for a World in Crisis
[44:00] - Responding with Faith and Compassion
[47:11] - Benediction and Sending Out
[47:42] - Fellowship and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Tears of Jesus and the Call to Compassionate Faith

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### Bible Reading

- John 11:1-45 (Jesus weeps at Lazarus’s tomb)
- Luke 19:41-44 (Jesus weeps over Jerusalem)
- Hebrews 4:14-16 (Jesus, our compassionate High Priest)

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### Observation Questions

1. In John 11, what were the different ways Mary and Martha responded to Jesus when their brother Lazarus died? How did Jesus react to their words and actions? [01:30:50]
2. According to Luke 19, what did Jesus see in Jerusalem that caused him to weep? What did he say about the city’s future? [01:31:39]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus was “deeply moved” and “troubled” at Lazarus’s tomb. What do these words tell us about Jesus’s emotions in that moment? [01:32:26]
4. In Hebrews 4, how is Jesus described in relation to our struggles and weaknesses?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus’s tears were not just about the immediate pain of loss, but also about unbelief—even among his closest friends? What does this reveal about his heart? [01:33:12]
2. The sermon says that Jesus allowed the situation with Lazarus to become “truly hopeless” by human standards. What might be the purpose behind God allowing us to face situations that seem impossible? [01:32:26]
3. How does unbelief “wound” the heart of Christ, according to the sermon? Why is this significant for those who already know and follow him? [01:33:12]
4. The sermon draws a connection between Jesus’s compassion for individuals (like Mary and Martha) and his compassion for the whole world. How are these two kinds of compassion related? [01:34:39]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon points out that even those closest to Jesus struggled to trust him fully in crisis. Can you think of a recent situation where you found it hard to trust God? What did you do, and how might you respond differently next time? [01:33:12]
2. Jesus’s tears show that he is moved by our pain and our inability to trust him. When you face trials, do you tend to retreat into doubt and fear, or do you turn to Jesus? What would it look like to practice a “lifelong trust” in him, not just faith for the crisis at hand? [01:33:12]
3. The sermon challenges us to move beyond offering “words or prayers from a distance” and to enter into the pain of others. Who in your life right now might need you to come alongside them in a tangible way? What is one specific thing you could do this week to show compassion? [01:34:39]
4. Jesus wept over cities and nations, not just individuals. When you see suffering in the world (in the news or your community), do you feel moved to compassion or do you feel numb? What could help you develop a heart more like Jesus’s for the world? [01:35:44]
5. The sermon says that “every person matters to God” and that we are sent to be his hands and feet. Is there someone in your neighborhood, workplace, or family who feels overlooked or alone? How could you reach out to them this week? [01:47:11]
6. The pastor shared that sometimes we praise God with our lips but retreat into doubt during trials. Are there areas in your life where your words and your trust in God don’t match? What would it look like to bring those areas into alignment? [01:33:12]
7. The message ended with a call to “offer a shoulder to those who weep.” Is there a practical way your small group could serve or support someone in need together this month? [01:34:39]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you see people and situations through Jesus’s eyes, to grow in trust, and to be moved with real compassion for those around you.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Weeps Over Unbelief and Hardness of Heart
Jesus’ tears at Lazarus’s tomb were not just for the loss of a friend, but for the deep unbelief he encountered even among those closest to him. Despite witnessing his miracles and hearing his promises, Mary and Martha could not fully trust that Jesus was able to do the impossible. In moments of crisis, we too may find ourselves doubting God’s power or timing, wounding the heart of Christ who longs for our steadfast faith. He invites us to move beyond a faith that only surfaces in emergencies, to a lifelong trust that endures through every trial, believing that nothing is too late or too hard for him. [01:33:12]

John 11:32-35 (ESV)
Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 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.

Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to trust Jesus fully, and how might you invite him into your doubts and ask for a deeper, enduring faith today?


Day 2: Jesus’ Compassion for a Hurting World
Jesus’ tears were not limited to personal loss; he wept over Jerusalem, grieving the unbelief and lostness of an entire city. His heart breaks for the suffering, rebellion, and pain in the world, and he calls us to share in his compassion. As we look at the crises and tragedies around us—whether in our neighborhoods or across the globe—are we moved to pray, to care, and to act with the same love that moved Jesus to tears? Every person matters deeply to God, and he invites us to see the world through his eyes of mercy and compassion. [01:35:44]

Luke 19:41-44 (ESV)
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Reflection: Who in your community or in the world is suffering right now, and how can you tangibly express Christ’s compassion to them this week?


Day 3: Faith That Pleases God
Without faith, it is impossible to please God; he desires that we come to him believing not only that he exists, but that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Jesus is grieved when we approach him with only lip service or when our faith falters in times of crisis. He calls us to a faith that is steadfast, that seeks him diligently, and that trusts his goodness even when circumstances seem hopeless. Let us ask God to help our unbelief and to cultivate a faith that endures, pleases him, and expects his presence and power in every situation. [01:40:24]

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to seek God more diligently and trust him more deeply, even in the face of uncertainty?


Day 4: Sharing Christ’s Compassion With Others
Jesus’ love compels us not only to believe, but to act—to extend ourselves beyond our own needs and offer comfort, prayer, and practical help to those around us. Just as Jesus wept with Mary and Martha, he calls us to come alongside those who are hurting, to offer a shoulder to cry on, and to be present in their pain. True faith is expressed in love and compassion for others, reflecting the heart of Christ to a world in need. [01:41:24]

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement or support today, and how can you intentionally reach out to bear their burden with them?


Day 5: Living With Purpose and Being Sent
Wherever you go, God has placed you there for a reason. Christ indwells you and desires to work through you, using your presence, words, and actions to bring his love and hope to others. The Holy Spirit will guide and empower you as you remain open to his leading. Embrace each day as an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, knowing that you are sent with purpose into every situation and relationship. [01:47:11]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Reflection: As you go about your day, how can you intentionally shine Christ’s light and love in the specific places and relationships where God has placed you?

Quotes

It's one thing to believe for the healing of a sick man, another thing to believe that the dead would be raised. In this scene, Jesus is setting up an opportunity for his inner circle of friends to believe for that which is impossible. [01:25:51] (16 seconds) Edit Clip

Jesus was about to prove that he was the God of the impossible. The encounter wasn't so much about Lazarus's death now think of this it was about his own death as well because if he could do the impossible and raise Lazarus surely on the third day he could be raised again as well. [01:26:40] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

Every single person on this earth matters to our God. Would we be willing to take the good news to your next door neighbor, to your father, to your mother, to your brother, to somebody in your circle of influence? Would you most importantly be willing to lend your shoulder in sympathy for somebody who's crying today? [01:38:13] (35 seconds) Edit Clip

Know that whatever struggle or sorrows you may be experiencing, know that you don't have to weep alone. That we have a loving savior who died for every pain that you have faced, that you are facing. Every situation that you might be going through, we have an amazing loving savior who died so that you might live. [01:39:34] (31 seconds) Edit Clip

We're reminded of the scripture that says, for God so loved the world that he gave. And that's what we need to do as well. We need to give. Give of ourselves, extend beyond ourselves and our own needs. [01:42:23] (19 seconds) Edit Clip