According to the Need

"Jesus wept."

John 11:35 has been popularized as "the shortest verse in the Bible." But the verses surrounding this "shortest verse" paint a beautiful picture.

In this time of great grief, Jesus drew near to both Martha and Mary, yet we see that He comforted them differently.

With logical, hardworking Martha, Jesus had a discussion of theology and belief:

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?  She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." John 11:21-27

With tender Mary and her tears, Jesus simply wept:

"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept." (John 11:33-35)

For each woman, Jesus saw their different needs and met them. This amazing realization encourages me in two points:

            1) Jesus sees my needs and He knows exactly how to fulfill that need according to my personality.

            2) Not everyone is comforted in the same way. As a child of God, I need to follow Christ's example and be sensitive to the different needs of others.

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:" (2 Corinthians 9:8)