The monument was created to express the following themes: rememberance, reflection & faith. It expresses remembrance of those who were taken from this world by the violence of April 19,1995, reflection upon the act and terrible senslessness, and faith that the enduring presence of Christ is with us in our time of need.

The predominate feature of the monument is the statue of Jesus which stands nine feet tall in height. The sorrow expressed reminds us that Jesus lived in human form and shared in the emotional trauma of our physical world. In the passage from the Bible for which the monument is named, Jesus arrives to find his friend Lazarus has died. He is troubled by the lack of faith of the mourners. Later, as he approaches the tomb, he weeps for his own sorrow and our sense of helplessness by reminding us that he has shared in the emotions of our mortal world, yet promises a better world for those of faith in the afterlife.

As one tours the site of the Murrah Building one of the first things noticed is the paraphernalia that covers the fence enclosing the site.
People from all over the world have visited the site and made offerings to heal their grief and express sorrow for those victimized by the bombing. In this spirit the wall is envisioned with one hundred sixty eight recessed openings which represent those who have perished. The openings will allow people to place something in the recess as a form of expression to demonstrate how the event has touched them in a personal manner. Each contribution in itself is an individual act. However when viewed in its entirety, the monument inspires a sense of unity and hope.
It is a physical act to give a sense of peace to the survivors... we are all survivors of this horrible event.

There are several columns placed near the corner that serves two purposes by operating on both the cognitive and pratical level. The abstract form of the columns are envisioned as means to stimulate the viewer to contemplate what has transpired. Symbolic of the physical and human destruction and vague in form, the columns provoke thought and ultimately a deeper understanding of the tragedy. The square shape of the columns is derived from the recessed openings in the wall. By repeating the shape of the openings, the columns are tied to the wall. Although the interpretation of the columns is ultimately in the eyes of the viewer, one can not help feeling the solemn presence they emanate. Another purpose of the columns is to solve problems inherent with the site.
The open street corner is a busy space with many distractions and obstructions(i.e., traffic stop lights, parking meters, etc.). By placing columns throughout the stirated corner area, the site is balanced between the need to expose and enclose. The granite forms command attention to the site as well as provide an atmosphere of enclosure while retaining an open view of the monument.

Ultimately the goal is an enduring monument. If a work such as the monument is too defined and realistic, after someone has viewed the site, the experience ends. As with Scripture passage for which the monument is named, there are complex thoughts that are incorporated into the monument. The abstract form of the columns and recessed openings in the wall help to createa monument which at first glance stirs curiosity and later, because it requires contemplation, draws people to visit the site again. Most importantly, the monument reminds us that Christ suffered and that those who believe in him shall have eternal life.