The Gospel of John By J.C. ryle

Weeping and mourning are sadly trying to flesh and blood, and make us feel the
weakness of our mortal nature. But they are not in themselves wrong. Even the Son of
God wept. It shows us that deep feeling is not a thing of which we need be ashamed. To
be cold and stoical and unmoved in the sight of sorrow is no sign of grace. There is
nothing unworthy of a child of God in tears. Even the Son of God could weep. It shows
us, above all, that the Savior in whom believers trust is a most tender and feeling Savior.
He is one who can be touched with sympathy for our infirmities. When we turn to Him
in the hour of trouble, and pour out our hearts before Him, He knows what we go
through and can pity. And He is One who never changes. Though He now sits at God's
right hand in heaven, His heart is still the same that it was upon earth. We have an
Advocate with the Father, who, when He was upon earth, could weep.
Let us remember these things in daily life, and never be ashamed of walking in our
Master's footsteps. Let us strive to be men and women of a tender heart and a
sympathizing spirit. Let us never be ashamed to weep with those who weep, and rejoice
with those who rejoice. Well would it be for the Church and the world if there were
more Christians of this stamp and character! The Church would be far more beautiful,
and the world be far more happy.
JOHN 11:38-46
Lazarus Raised from the Dead
Jesus, intensely moved again, came to the tomb. (Now it was a cave, and a stone was
placed across it.) Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the deceased,
replied, "Lord, by this time the body will have a bad smell, because he has been buried
four days." Jesus responded, "Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you would see the
glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Jesus looked upward and said, "Father, I
thank you that you have listened to me. I knew that you always listen to me, but I said
this for the sake of the crowd standing around here, that they may believe that you sent
me." When he had said this, he shouted in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The one
who had died came out, his feet and hands tied up with strips of cloth, and a cloth
wrapped around his face. Jesus said to them, "Unwrap him and let him go."
Then many of the Jewish people from Jerusalem, who had come with Mary and had seen
the things Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and
reported to them what Jesus had done.
These verses record one of the greatest miracles the Lord Jesus Christ ever worked, and
supply an unanswerable proof of His divinity. He whose voice could bring back from the
grave one that had been four days dead, must indeed have been very God! The miracle
itself is described in such simple language that no human comment can throw light
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