The graveside scene was poignant.  Mary and Martha mourned the death of their brother Lazarus, surrounded by the ritual wailing of the village folk (John 11:17-19).  Jesus was weeping too (John 11:35); not just to be socially appropriate, but because He loved Lazarus and his sisters.  Death had engulfed the little family and Jesus felt their pain personally.  The deadly consequences of the Fall had thrown this family's life into helpless turmoil (Genesis 3:19).  The onlookers had their opinions.  Some saw how much Jesus loved Lazarus and his sisters, while others criticised Him for not arriving earlier to heal the sick man.  Was He being kind, or had He been cruel; or both?

And why did Jesus weep?  It was all very personal.  His tears were for the death of a dear friend, and for the sisters' grief, and for the restless agony of a world in Satan's grip and under God's curse (Hebrews 2:14-15).  He would have felt it all most deeply because very soon He would also die, but under even more perplexing circumstances, leaving grieving family and friends.  However, He would then personally break the power of Satan by rising from the dead.  His tears of compassion came straight from His heart: aching for the spoiled creation (Romans 8:20-21) and longing for the day when sickness and death will never darken God's new creation (Revelation 21:3-5).

The human focus was on the question, ‘Why did Jesus not stop the man dying?’  But Jesus’ delay was to answer another question, ‘Who can bring life to the dead?’  Jesus gave the answer to Martha, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26).  The history of medicine is filled with many ways to stop people dying, but in the end everybody dies.  The important question for everybody is therefore, ‘Who can bring life to the dead?’   The answer is still, only Jesus.  

Kind or cruel ... we form our opinions according to what we think is best.  But God always knows what is best, and the right time to take action.  Human opinion does not change God's plan as if He needs to appease voters.  Those who trust Him will understand that He is loving (even if they cannot grasp what He is doing or why).  Those who want Him to promote their agendas will always be disappointed and will often criticise Him.  Their reactions will demonstrate their hearts; in the same way that Jesus' reaction at Lazarus' tomb reflected His heart of love.  Likewise, our reactions and opinions show what is in our hearts.  And when we find that all is not well, we need the Lord to change our hearts.