Jesus Wept—and So Can We

By Ashlee Roberts

I used to think that compassion and sensitivity were weaknesses but they’re actually strengths that can bring us and others to the Savior.

“Jesus wept” (John 11:35).

Lazarus was dead; however, on the way back to Bethany, Jesus told His disciples that He was thankful this had happened: “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him” (John 11:15).

The Lord has always been able to see things that we cannot. He perfectly understands the eternal perspective. While Jesus saw death as only sleeping, the disciples didn’t understand what He meant until He explained. Christ clearly understood that death is a temporary state, when for us, it’s difficult to see death as anything other than a definite ending. He sees that with faith, miracles can be performed and conversion may be deepened. This was certainly the case for His disciples, who were still growing to maturity in their discipleship. And so, He was thankful.

Jesus arrived at Bethany to a troubled Mary and Martha, some of His dearest friends, who were grieving over the loss of their brother. He had tarried for two days where He was before traveling back to where they were. If He had been there, Lazarus would not have been dead (see John 11:21). In this moment, Jesus was met with the anguish of Mary and Martha. He had a perfect perspective—He knew exactly where Lazarus was and knew that Mary and Martha would see him again. Yet He grieved with them.

In today’s world, some people believe that being tough and strong at all times is empowering. Some are encouraged to avoid showing signs of struggle or weakness, to move past deeper emotions, to mask feelings with brashness, or to push feelings aside altogether. Empathy and compassion are viewed by some as weaknesses.

But the strongest man to ever walk the earth proved otherwise.

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and Holy One of Israel, felt deeply—infinitely, perfectly, wholly. This ability to feel so completely was not a weakness; it gave Him the strength to take upon Himself our sins and burdens. The immeasurable love and empathy He feels for each of us is part of what made His sacrifice in Gethsemane and on the cross a reality. Because of His perfect love for His Father and each one of us, He overcame all things and made it possible for us to return to our Father in Heaven.

Although feeling emotions deeply has been challenging, being able to empathize with others has given me the opportunity to help loved ones and friends as they experience their own pains and trials. As I learn to recognize these intricate feelings as opportunities to better testify of Christ’s healing power in my life, I become better prepared to “mourn with those that mourn” and “comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:9). Ministering is something that I have covenanted to do.

Seeing my capacity to feel deeply as a strength and a gift rather than a weakness empowers me to be a better daughter, sister, friend, and disciple of Christ. I am better equipped to love intentionally as I experience His healing power in my life and remember all that He is. I can help others walk as He walked, serve as He served, and love as He loved—learning to feel, to the best of their capacity, the things that He feels for our Father’s children—as I am learning to do so myself.

Though we are incapable at this time of processing the full measure of an eternal being’s capacity to feel, one day we will also have that capacity. Then we will weep, too, as we gain complete understanding of what it means to feel and to share the Savior’s love.