Mary Goes to Meet Jesus

Lesson #180

In our last lesson, Martha had just informed Mary that Jesus was calling for her and quickly rose to go to him. “When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there” (John 11:31 ESV). I believe it was Martha’s intent to have Mary be alone with Jesus, but that wasn’t going to happen as the Jews who were in the house consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out so they followed her. They assumed she was going to the tomb to weep, but they soon found out differently. This may have been what Jesus was planning on because he wants the Jews to witness another miracle, designed to further their understanding of who he really is and why his Father sent him to earth.

“Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”” (John 11:32 ESV). Notice the difference in the approach of these two sisters when meeting Jesus. Martha faces Jesus and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”, but Mary fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” They both said the same thing, but their body language was quite different. I think Martha was showing more pride and that Jesus didn’t care enough to be there to meet their need. Mary shows some disappointment, but her posture reflects love and a measure of forgiveness.

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” (John 11:33 ESV). Another difference between these two sisters is how they are affected by the death of their brother. Maratha doesn’t show much emotion and is very businesslike during this family tragedy. Mary, on the other hand, is deeply moved by the death of Lazarus; was the one morning and is the one now weeping at the feet of Jesus. The emotion of Mary was felt by the Jews and they weep along with her. This weeping caused Jesus to be deeply moved in his spirit and deeply troubled him. Maratha seems to stand out as being different from those gathered there. She is clearly the one in charge and seems to feels responsible to take care of things during this time of trial for the family. With Mary and the Jews, Jesus feels the emotion of the situation and that greatly troubles him.

Jesus may have been deeply trouble for several reasons. Jesus is also human and in his spirit he is troubled because by allowing the death of his friend he has brought such grief and caused such suffering for his friends. Jesus may also feel some anger at the evil of death and have thoughts about his suffering, which is needed to allow the power of God to flow through him in overcoming death. Jesus knows his plans for Lazarus and how he will use the miracle of raising him to demonstrate that he is the resurrection. Jesus knows that this will bring him one big step closer to his death on the cross.

Let us stop here and finish up this section in our next lesson when we will try to answer the question, “Why did Jesus weep?”

Prayer

Father, I am touched by the difference in the approach of these two sisters toward Jesus. Maratha seems upset that Jesus failed to meet her expectations concerning Lazarus. Mary was disappointed, but in humility and love she was at his feet weeping. Martha seems to desire control and results, but Mary is willing to surrender and see what is next. Of these two, Mary is my encourager. I desire her humble, teachable spirit.