John 11:35 JESUS wept. [King James Translation]
Summary
This scripture is famous for being the shortest verse in the King James Bible and many other translations*. This scripture occurs in the narrative that describes the death and later resurrection of Lazarus. The events are as follows: JESUS receives a message from Mary and Martha that their brother, Lazarus, is sick. JESUS loved this family. However, JESUS does not go to see Lazarus until two days later. When JESUS arrives in Bethany where Lazarus and his two sisters live, JESUS first encounters Martha and later meets a weeping Mary, who falls to HIS feet and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When JESUS sees her weeping, and the other people who came to console Mary also weeping, the Bible says, JESUS “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.” The Bible says JESUS asked where they had laid Lazarus and was told to “come and see.” Then, JESUS wept.
This short verse illustrates a great number of things and more, including:
- That JESUS was human. HE could feel human emotional pain and wept just as we do.
In other words, JESUS had a physical body with tear ducts, etc. - That JESUS understood how death affects us all.
- That JESUS understood that HE too would die.
- That JESUS understood the grip that death had on mankind.
- That where HE was being led (i.e. the public burial place), there were a lot of others waiting for release from the grave like Lazarus, but only Lazarus would arise that day.
- That we serve a GOD who weeps for us in our time of need.
- That JESUS loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, just as HE loves us. JESUS loves families.
- That GOD is not distant. HE understands us like none other.
- That GOD has compassion for us.
- That weeping may precede resurrection, but resurrection is sure to come.
This scripture is short but significant.
Short Exercises:
There are a number of exercises that can be performed in a short amount of time.
Neck and Shoulder Flexibility Exercises:
You can perform neck exercises
- by turning your head slowly from right to left,
- slowly tilting your head down from side to side, keeping your shoulders down
- slowly making a “V” with your head,
- slowly looking up at the ceiling and down at the floor, keeping your shoulders down
- slowing making circles with your head clockwise and counter-clockwise.
Foot and Ankle Strengthening Exercises:
Toe Curls - Place a towel on the ground under your right foot. Stretch your toes out and pull them back in to grip the material with your toes. Lift the cloth one to two inches off the ground and hold for five seconds. Lower it to the ground. Repeat five times. Then repeat on the left side.
Relax your muscles between each grip.
Work up to holding the grip for 10 seconds at a time.
Toe curls focus primarily on strengthening the toe flexors.
Write the Alphabet - Sit on the couch, relaxed against the back. Extend one of your legs and raise one-foot several inches off the ground. Trace the alphabet in the air using your big toe as a “pencil.” Then switch legs and do the same with the opposite big toe. This exercise helps to strengthen the extensor and flexor muscles in the foot. This exercise also helps strengthen the ankles and plantar fascia (i.e., the flat band of tissue that connects the heel to the toes).
Ankle Stretching and Strengthening - Sit with your legs stretched straight out in front of you. Without moving legs, point your feet backward towards your body as far as they will comfortably go. Hold for 10 seconds. Then, point your toes down away from your body. Hold for 10 more seconds. Next, point toes towards the opposite foot and hold for 10 seconds. Then, point your toes away from the opposite foot and hold for 10 more seconds. Lastly, move the ankles 10 times clockwise and 10 times counterclockwise.
Calf Raises - Stand straight in front of a wall, counter, or other stable objects. Place your hands gently on the wall or on a stable countertop in front of you. Raise yourself onto your toes in a calf raise exercise. From this raised-toe position, lower your feet to the ground again while keeping yourself balanced with your hands against the wall or counter. Repeat 10 times, making sure to lower yourself slowly to the ground.
Ball Roll - Sit on a chair and place a tennis or golf ball under the ball of your right foot (a tennis ball is probably the most comfortable for your foot). Roll the ball with your feet, moving the ball along the bottom of your foot from ball to heel. Continue the movement for two minutes. You should feel the massage throughout your foot.
If you have an injury or a medical condition that affects your balance, consult your personal physician for exercises that fit your needs and conditions, or ask your physician if the above exercises are right for you.
Short But Significant Acts
It is often the short, but significant things that count. A short cheerful hello; a short phone call to a loved one, friend, or relative; a simple e-mail or note that lets someone know you care.
Every minute you devote to your physical and spiritual health is significant too.
The short spiritual things are also significant. The silent prayer for an unhoused person or a downcast person you see on the street. Taking time to tell a child, a teenager, or some young adult you care. Sending a book or photo.
Every time we read the Bible, study GOD’s WORD, is a significant time we spend with HIM. Every prayer is a “short and significant” time of worship.
Thank you so much for sharing a few minutes of your Wednesdays with me!
I am forever grateful!
You are significant and BE BLESSED.
_________________________________________
* Although “JESUS wept” is the shortest verse in many Christian translation bibles, and in English (2 words and 9 letters) it is not the shortest verse in the original languages. In the NIV, Job 3:2 is the shortest biblical verse. Whereas the KJV reads "And Job spake, and said," the NIV simply has "He said" (2 words and 6 letters). The shortest verse in the Greek New Testament is Luke 20:30 ("και ο δευτερος", "And the second") with twelve letters, according to the Westcott and Hort text. See, www.wikipedia.com. Another contender for the shortest verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always,” (14 letters in Greek).
