Was it Because the Man Died, or Was it Something Else?

According to an old poem, boys are made of “snips and snails, and puppy dog tails.” Originally, the poem was thought as written as “snips of snails,” a more descriptive term of a tough exterior. Regardless, boys, and men, are tougher than the opposite sex and don’t weep easily. The question is, when will a man cry?

This man wept at the death of his friend. Was it because of his passing, or something else?

He was out of town when he received a message from the ailing gentleman’s sisters. “Your buddy is failing–fast.”

He pondered the communication and said, “He’ll be alright. This isn’t catastrophic,” and remained in town with the others. After a couple of days, he announced unexpectedly, “Let’s go to the city.”

One of his colleagues rebutted, “But you know they’re after you. Will you endanger your own life?”

He answered, “There are only so many hours of daylight. If I work in the day, I won’t stumble, because I have the light. Besides, our friend is asleep, and I need to awaken him.”

“That’s good he’s resting.”

He shook his head slightly from side to side. “You don’t understand. He’s dead, but I’m glad, for your sake, so that you’ll believe.”

The others were confused. How could he have died? Didn’t he say he wouldn’t?

“Well, let’s join him,” one of them replied, “So that we can die.”

They arrived and found a funeral. His colleague had been dead four days. Traditionally, people believed a person’s soul remained with its body three days, seeking an opportunity to return. These were called the days of weeping. Decomposition set in on the fourth day, and they thought, It’s too late.

He received reprisal from both sisters. “If you had only been here,” they said, “This wouldn’t have happened.”

Men are resilient and scarcely will a man cry. Hardly more the Son of God.

Jesus groaned within, moved with anger, and wept.

Did he shed tears because of the man’s passing, or was it something else?

(John 11:1-35).

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