When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within Him, and He was deeply troubled. – John 11:33 NLT
Maybe youāre like me and have found it a little strange that the Creator God of the universe would show up at a funeralāone Heās about to endāand be angry. I’ve asked a whole host of questions like these that had me puzzled for years.
- Why would Jesus be angry when He knows Heās about to raise Lazarus from the dead?
- Is He angry at the devil?
- Is Jesus mad at death or the effects of sin, which has caused Lazarus’ death?
- Was Jesus angry because of their lack of faith or because they didnāt believe He could fix it?
- Honestly, it seems immature for anyone to show up to a funeral and be angry when the majority of everyone there is filled with sadness. Why would Jesus show anger in such a heartbreaking moment? I thought we were supposed to weep with those who weep?
It’s unfortunate, but the NLT translation brings some distracting confusion to the emotions of God here. Let me redirect your attention in a much more helpful direction.
John 11:33 (NKJV) – Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
John 12:27 (NKJV) – Jesus Predicts His Death on the Cross
āNow My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? āFather, save Me from this hourā? But for this purpose I came to this hour.ā
John 13:21 (NKJV) – When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, āMost assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.ā
Each time Jesus is troubled, Heās facing another step toward the cross.
Matthew 26:37-39 (NKJV)
And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, āMy soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.ā 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, āO My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.ā
Mark 14:33 (NKJV) – And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
Luke 22:44 (NKJV) – And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
So now that we can see Jesus and His emotions more clearly in John 11, here’s what was really going on all along at Lazarus’ tomb.
The glorious emotions of Jesus groaning in the spirit at Lazarusā tomb reveal the Lord triumphant, strong, and resoluteārebuking the enemy, overcoming fear, and standing unwaveringly committed to the will of His Father in the way of the cross. He knows that raising Lazarus will fast-track Him to excruciating physical sufferingāand though the path ahead is horrifically agonizing, Jesus groans and is troubled because Heās heading straight toward the spine-chilling gruesomeness of His own death. Yet nothing will deter our God from the cross! š¤Æ For there is truly no one like Jesus!
Peter tries to deter Jesus from taking the cross.
Matthew 16:23 (NKJV) – But He turned and said to Peter, āGet behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.ā
Luke 9:51 (NKJV) – Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.
Isaiah 50:7 (NKJV) – āFor the Lord GOD will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.
Please see this revelation that directly connects to this content: I Am Sorry