Jesus Comforts the Sisters of Lazarus
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles[b] from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
28 After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29 When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
35 Jesus wept.
Mary and Martha had two different approaches. It seems that they had two different attitudes. They received two different reactions.
Martha:
"If you had been here, my brother would not have died." Martha believed in Jesus. She knew who he was. When Jesus said, "your brother will rise", the first thing in her mind was not that it would happen that very day. She immediately recalls the teaching about the resurrection on the last day. Jesus replies, "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?”. She says, "yes..."
Martha's exchange has a student/teacher feel to it. She approached him face to face. I do not know the tone of voice that she used, but the first emotion from Christ was not a burst of compassion.
Mary:
When Mary gets to Jesus she falls at his feet and says, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” She said the exact same thing her sister did but had a different approach. He saw her weeping and was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. There wasn't a lesson on him being the resurrection and the life. He didnt have a drawn out conversation. He simply said, "Where have you laid him?".......and Jesus wept.
We know the rest of the story. I wanted to share this with you today. Two people were in the same situation. They said the same words. They had different attitudes. They had different approaches. They received two reactions. How we approach the King does make a difference. Remember in the time of need that He knows your heart and intentions. Come before Jesus with the right attitude and approach and he will meet your need. After all, he does LOVE you.
