As we read of Jesus in this passage, we observe him deeply saddened and weeping because of the grievous circumstances around him.  He is shown to be a man of deep emotion, and yet, he was fully God. So, why was Jesus so upset that he was moved to tears?

As we go deeper in the passage in the original language, we read that before he wept, he was indignant. He was indignant at the suffering and death around him. As he goes to the tomb, he then weeps—not the uncontrollable grieving of the mourners around him, but a controlled weeping. There are four reasons scholars believe he was stirred to these emotions: the ravages of sin in creation, the ravages of sin in peoples’ lives, his love for Lazarus, and the reminder of Jesus’ own impending death.

How should we respond to Christ being moved to tears? It should move us to embrace the enduring character of Christ, becoming more like him as we feel and congruently express both righteous indignation and compassion. We should also give emotions their proper place, accepting them as good and created by God.