So when Jesus came, He found that he [Lazarus] had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. (John 11:17-20)
The last time we read about Martha and Mary, Jesus stayed with them during one of his "missionary" trips. The sisters were pretty much behaving true to their character as before. Martha was the busy body, but Mary was still. (see THE GOSPEL: Work with the Right Motivation) It was customary during this time for mourners to stay with the family who was grieving the loss of a loved one, and the family members would not leave the house for a specified number of days. But Martha couldn't be still, and as soon as she heard that Jesus was on His way, she went and met Him. Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:21-27)
At first, we may be tempted to believe that Martha agreed with Jesus, but that's not how she answered His question. She answered by plainly stating the fact of Who He is, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” However, Jesus is even more than that. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." Jesus explained this in even more details to the Jews in Jerusalem, after he healed the blind man. (see THE GOSPEL: Indisputable Witnesses) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me. (John 5:24-30)
And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:28-32) Interestingly, both sisters made the same comment to Jesus, but they had completely different attitudes. Martha was more "in His face", as if being confrontational. Mary, however was more humble, yet again falling at His feet, as she always did. (Luke 7:38; Luke 10:39)
Jesus had already told the disciples prior to their arrival, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it. ...“Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” (John 11:4, 14-15) Jesus knew He was going to bring Lazarus back to life, but Mary's grief touched Him. Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” JESUS WEPT! Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” (John 11:33-37)
Jesus reaches people's hearts by meeting them where they are, spiritually and emotionally! Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. ...associate with the humble. (Romans 12:15-16) We who profess and call ourselves Christians have to be the same way. We have to genuinely and sincerely feel for each other. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. (I Corinthians 12:24-27) We are a part of Jesus body, of His family and when we hurt, He hurts, and He'll move in a mighty way to help us during our time of need, just like He did for Mary and Martha, because He is the resurrection and the life...
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