S – 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. 34 And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept 

John 11:33–35 (https://ref.ly/Jn11.33-35;esv), ESV

O – Commentary”

Deeply moved may either be translated “groaned” or more likely “angered.” The Greek word enebrimēsato (from embrimaomai) seems to connote anger or sternness. (This Gr. verb is used only five times in the NT, each time of the Lord’s words or feelings: Matt. 9:30; Mark 1:43; 14:5; John 11:33, 38.)

Why was Jesus angry? Some have argued that He was angry because of the people’s unbelief or hypocritical wailing. But this seems foreign to the context. A better explanation is that Jesus was angry at the tyranny of Satan who had brought sorrow and death to people through sin (cf. 8:44; Heb. 2:14–15). Also Jesus was troubled (etaraxen, lit., “stirred” or “agitated,” like the pool water in John 5:7; cf. 12:27; 13:21; 14:1, 27). This disturbance was because of His conflict with sin, death, and Satan.

11:35–37. Jesus’ weeping differed from that of the people. His quiet shedding of tears (edakrysen) differed from their loud wailing (klaiontas, v. 33). His weeping was over the tragic consequences of sin. The crowd interpreted His tears as an expression of love, or frustration at not being there to heal Lazarus.

Blum, Edwin A. 1985. “John.” (https://ref.ly/res/LLS:29.1.1/2024-11-06T22:12:00Z/7516536?len=1115) In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 2:314. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

A – Jesus showed human qualities and God qualities at the same time.  He was angered by sin and move by compassion for his loved ones.   He didn’t keep those emotions inside and stuff them down.  He was vulnerable and allowed others to see how it challenged him. Interestingly, he stayed on task and did God’s will in the situation. 

R – Heavenly Father, you are God and we are made in your image.  Empower us today to embody our true emotions as mirrors to what you are doing in and through us.  We want to be real and authentic.  As we do this, we want to accomplish your will and purposes today.