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If you didn't pick up the emotion of this passage, then stop reading this and go back and read it again. Only this time, feel the words.

The first person to come out to meet Jesus is Martha. The Gospel of Luke tells a story about Martha where she is described as a hard worker, but seems to be someone who rarely takes the time to sit and just learn. I've heard many preachers give sermons about the difference between these two sisters based on the passage in Luke (Luke 10:38-42) . Almost always, these sermons paint a negative light on Martha.

And yet in this passage, we see her incredible faith. But the first words out of her mouth are the words of a grieving sister. Again, remember that Jesus was very close to this family. You can almost hear the pain and sorrow in her voice as she says to Jesus, "Why didn't you answer our 'prayer'? We sent word to you that Lazarus was sick. If you had come right away, he would still be alive."

Jesus responds to her with one of the most powerful statements in the Bible. "I am the resurrection and the life, anyone who believes in me will live." Folks, that is a powerful, powerful hope! It's why the Bible says that we who believe in Jesus do not grieve like those who don't - we have a hope!

My mom would have turned 61 a few days ago. I'll never forget the one conversation I had with her before she died. She told me that she was ready. She didn't fear dying. Because she knew that even w hen she died physically, she would live eternally with Christ. She smiled and said, "I'll simply get to hold K.D. before you!" (K.D. is my daughter who had passed a few years earlier)

Jesus is trying to tell Martha, "I know you don't understand right now, but you will. Life is coming."

Next, Mary comes out to greet him. And again, we hear her pain and sorrow. "Why Jesus? Why didn't you come? Why?"

And then we see it. Oh boy, wait until you get this! Remember who John is writing this Gospel for. The Gnostics. These people believed in an unemotional, unattached God who dictated through reason and logic. Emotion, passion, love, etc., were not part of the equation.

And John smacks them right between the eyes with one statement. The shortest verse in the entire Bible: "Then Jesus wept."

Jesus knew what was about to happen. He knew the joy and absolute amazement that was about to take place. All the sorrow that his friends were feeling at that moment was about to be turned to absolute joy.

And yet, he felt their pain at the very place they were currently at. He wept with Mary and Martha. God of this universe, creator of all things, come in the form of a human, wept.

Don't ever believe the lie that God does not care about the pain that you are feeling. Even though he sees down the road - when you will experience joy and freedom - he still feels your pain. And when you weep, he weeps with you.

Do you feel it? If not, read it again.