Green Up Clean Up

Meeting Jesus in the streets

water drop at the tip of a leaf

Jesus is God and Man

John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, holds profound significance in revealing the dual nature of Jesus as both God and man:

Jesus as Man:

  • Emotional Capacity: “Jesus wept” demonstrates his full humanity. It shows that he experienced deep emotions like sorrow, empathy, and compassion. He wasn’t an unfeeling deity but a man who could relate to human suffering.
  • Shared Grief: By weeping, Jesus shared in the grief of Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters. This act of empathy shows his ability to connect with people on an emotional level, a characteristic of his humanity.
  • Physical Limitations: His tears imply a physical body capable of human responses, reinforcing his incarnation as a man.

Jesus as God:

  • Power over Death: While weeping over Lazarus’s death, Jesus knew he would raise him from the dead (John 11:43-44). This juxtaposition of grief and power demonstrates his divine authority over death.
  • Compassionate Love: His tears reflect the depth of his love for Lazarus and his family. This love transcends human emotions, showcasing a divine compassion for his creation.
  • Foreshadowing Resurrection: His weeping foreshadows his own death and resurrection, highlighting the ultimate victory over death that he would achieve through his divine power.

Theological Significance:

The verse encapsulates the central Christian belief in the Incarnation: God becoming fully human while remaining fully divine. Jesus’s tears serve as a bridge between the human and the divine, showing us that God understands and shares our pain.

  • Comfort: For believers, this verse offers comfort in knowing that God understands their sorrows and empathises with their struggles.
  • Hope: It points to the hope of resurrection and eternal life, as Jesus’s power over death is revealed in this emotional moment.
  • Challenge: It challenges us to embrace both our humanity and our connection to the divine, as Jesus exemplified.

In Summary:

John 11:35 is a powerful reminder of Jesus’s dual nature. His tears demonstrate his humanity, while his power over death reveals his divinity. This verse offers comfort, hope, and a deeper understanding of the Incarnation, ultimately drawing us closer to the heart of God.

John 11 - The Death of Lazarus 1 Now a certain man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village where Mary and her sister Martha lived. 2 (Now it was Mary who anointed the Lord with perfumed oil and wiped his feet dry with her hair,…
blue and white planet display Genesis 1 - Setting the stage for everything that follows! In the Beginning… The story starts with a bang: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Boom! Just like that, God makes everything out of nothing. This is a pretty mind-blowing idea, but it shows us…
a wooden boat with a rope tied to it Why was did Jesus seem to have a better time in Galilee - Jesus's ministry found greater initial success in Galilee compared to Jerusalem due to several factors: Social and Political Climate: Galilee was a region known for its diverse population, including peasants, fishermen, and those marginalised by the religious elite in Jerusalem. Jesus's message of hope, inclusion, and…
a bible open to the word jeremiah Christos - The word "Christos" (Χριστός in Greek) is of paramount importance. It is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word "Mashiach" (Messiah), meaning "anointed one." Old Testament Background In the Old Testament, anointing with oil was a sacred act signifying consecration and setting apart for a special…
crashing waves Dunamis - The word "Dunamis" (δύναμις in Greek) holds profound significance, representing a multifaceted concept of power. Inherent Power of God Divine Power: Dunamis primarily refers to the inherent power of God, the source of all creation and authority. It is the power that sustains the universe, performs…
Kneeling humbly before the Cross From Ineffective to Effective: How Jesus Changes Your Life - Are you tired of feeling stuck in a rut, like you're not living up to your full potential? Do you find yourself struggling with the same issues and patterns over and over again? If so, you're not alone. Many of us feel like we're constantly striving…
Stars To our Amazing God - O Maker of the vast expanse, Where stars in cosmic dance advance, Who hung the moon with silver gleam, And sun to pour forth golden beam. Your hand has shaped the earth so fair, With mountains high and valleys rare, The trees that reach for skies…
person stands on brown pathway God walks with you - Dear God, as morning breaks anew, Bless our steps as we walk with You. Guide our paths, wherever they may lead, In every journey, grant us speed. In bustling streets or country lane, Keep us safe, from harm and pain. As hands upon the wheel we…
brown and white fur bird at brown tree branch A Father’s Love, Reflected in a Tiny Sparrow - The sparrow, a seemingly insignificant bird, holds a profound message about God's love for us, His children. In its humble existence, we find reflections of a Father's care, provision, and unwavering affection. Like a sparrow diligently gathering food for its young, our Heavenly Father tirelessly provides…
brown and white fur bird at brown tree branch A Father’s Love, Reflected in a Tiny Sparrow - Commentary on Matthew 10:29-31 In this passage, Jesus comforts his disciples who are about to embark on a challenging mission of preaching the gospel. He reminds them of God's providential care, even for the seemingly insignificant creatures like sparrows. Are not two sparrows sold for a…

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *