Jesus Wept

The shortest verse in the Bible, but also very significant. 

Lazarus, Mary’s brother, had just died. But why would Jesus weep? He knew back in verse 14 that Lazarus had died without anyone telling Him. The Holy Ghost told Him, or perhaps the spirit of Lazarus himself. Yet, the Savior weeps when Mary told Him the news, and the Jews obviously think Jesus is sad that Lazarus is gone:

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
 
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,
 
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
 
35 Jesus wept.
 
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

(KJV)
 

Christ knows the eternal plan more than anyone else on earth. He knew where Lazarus was, and that he is in a state of peace and happiness. What reason would Jesus have to weep?

The answer is found in the words of one of His prophets about 170 years earlier in the American continent.

While explaining the meaning of the baptismal covenant, Alma teaches:

8 …Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;
 
9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—
 
10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

(Book of Mormon, Mosiah ch. 18)

Jesus was baptized with the same authority, making the same covenants, as the people were in the Book of Mormon. He was keeping His baptismal covenant by mourning with Mary over the loss of her brother.

I love the Lord, Jesus Christ.  His words give me faith. His teachings give me hope. They are my Manna from Heaven.