I’m so looking forward to sinking deeper into this story. This one is different from most. In most stories about Jesus, the bulk of the story is about someone’s need, and how they are coming to Jesus for help. That’s not terribly surprising, because he is the only one who can ultimately help us. He even encourages us to come to him with our problems and he will give rest to our souls…. and to cast every care on him, because he truly does care.
But isn’t it refreshing sometimes to just come to him to worship him? To show Jesus our love and appreciation… expressing to him how much we admire him, and how much he means to us? To adore him… that is the heart of true worship.
That’s what Mary did.
Sorry, but, yes, this woman’s name is Mary also. There are four women named Mary in the New Testament. Yes, that’s confusing. Mary, Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, who was delivered from seven evil spirits, and Mary, the wife of Clopas, who was Joseph’s brother. Confused yet?
And then there was Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, who lived in Bethany. These were very special friends of Jesus. As wonderful as all the other Marys were, you’re going to love Mary. And maybe you’ll want to change your name to Mary too! (Please don’t.)
Let me start early on, with the first time we hear about this Mary. You see, Jesus travelled so much, and they didn’t stay in motels or eat at diners, even if there were some in town. It seems that Jesus and the disciples usually didn’t have firm plans for where to stay, and what to eat. Jesus didn’t have a place to lay his head. How’s that for trust? This three-year mission was go, go, go. Jesus showed the disciples by example as he instructed them, “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.”
So a typical day for Jesus and his crew went something like this: they would enter a new town, walk through the streets, likely going to the marketplace and door-to-door. The disciples would tell the people that the Messiah they had been waiting for was in town. Some would come to the town square, where Jesus would teach the people and heal the sick. Then Jesus and his disciples would search for someone who received their message, and stay at someone’s home while they were in town. Whenever Jesus gave the word, they would move on to the next town, and repeat.
Mary’s sister, Martha, found out that Jesus and his disciples were in Bethany. She likely went to hear Jesus speak, and she saw him heal her neighbors. Martha could tell right away that Jesus was authentic, so she invited him and the disciples to their home. I can just see Martha hurrying home, telling Mary the wonderful news that the Messiah, Jesus, and all his disciples were coming to dinner! “Hurry Mary, there are a lot of them and there’s a lot to do to get everything ready!” I’m sure both ladies’ feet and fingers flew, busily making preparations. From what happened that night, it seems that Martha got caught up in the party planning. Throwing an impressive party was her primary focus. I’m guessing Martha had a reputation as a terrific hostess, and she took a lot of pride in that! But it seems that Mary’s focus was on getting to spend time with Jesus, listening to him and learning from him. Mary worked quickly to make sure everything was ready by the time Jesus arrived, so she could to spend as much time with him as possible! “Jesus is coming to our house!” She could hardly wait!
Mary had just finished all her necessary preparations, when the doorbell rang! She hurried to the door and welcomed them all into their home. Mary and Martha graciously offered them refreshments, escorted them to the family room, and made sure everyone was comfortable.
Martha went back into the kitchen to take care of a few more details, and Mary stayed with the group, listening to Jesus. She was mesmerized by his wisdom and his kindness. Every gracious word that fell from his lips stirred her heart to a noble theme, just as Psalm 45 said. Jesus embodied every truth, every grace, every act of love she had learned from the Scriptures. He embodied the very Word of God, and spoke as one having authority. It was as if the very God of the universe was in human form, right there in her living room! He told them of his love for them, and to trust in his guidance. He told them that he was the bread of life, that he would sustain them. He told them he was the living water that would refresh them and give them life. He told them he would never leave them or forsake them. He told them he was the good shepherd who takes care of the sheep, and that he would search the world over to save even one that was lost. Mary knew that somehow this man was more than a man. He was more than a good teacher or a prophet or even the Messiah. He was the very God she poured her heart out to every day and night. I think, without even realizing it, Mary nestled into a cozy spot near Jesus’ feet, so she wouldn’t miss a word!
Time completely escaped Mary. How could it not? She had no idea how long she had been sitting there, listening to Jesus, when all of a sudden, a very aggravated Martha interrupted Jesus. Martha complained, in front of everyone, that she didn’t think it was fair for Jesus to let Mary sit there, leaving her to do all the work! Oh dear! Martha! What was Mary going to do? Well, before Mary could jump up, Jesus responded to Martha. He told her, kindly but firmly, that she was bothered about a lot of things that really didn’t matter. (…probably like doilies, and parsley on the plates, and napkin-rings, and such.) Jesus told Martha that Mary had made the better choice. He said it was really the only choice that was needed. He was not going to ask Mary to go do any more work. What had been done was sufficient. Can you just see Martha’s face? I know Jesus said it as gently as he could, but Martha was stopped in her harried tracks.
So Mary and the rest just went back to listening to Jesus, taking in his every word. I like to think that Martha put down her dish towel, came into the family room, sat down, and listened to Jesus.
By the way, Martha heard that lesson loud and clear. She was corrected by Jesus, in front of everybody. Ouch! Yes, she asked for it, and no doubt, she needed that correction. I’m thinking Martha ran Mary ragged on a daily basis! Martha was so stressed, and that spilled out onto everybody in the house! I’m sure Martha took Jesus’ words to heart, but true, inward change usually does not come easily or quickly. There’s a lot of sitting at Jesus’ feet that we need, so he can work in us what he knows is best. Funny, the Bible doesn’t say that Jesus went into the kitchen and told Martha to come sit and listen. He let her be free to do as she wished. But oh, how Martha needed to sit and soak in his presence! She needed to learn that his approval and admiration were all she needed.
So let’s take a lesson, ladies. I think we have trouble with this more than men do. If we don’t watch out, we can fret and fluster over so many things. Is my hair right? Is this outfit perfect? Is my house a showplace? Will others brag about my accomplishments? If we aren’t careful, we can let these things become our identity… idolizing the approval of others. .. allowing others’ judgments of us run us ragged! And God help the poor Marys that have to live with us! If we get taken in by this subtle stronghold, we won’t stop running long enough to spend time listening to Jesus. He has better for us…. the important things. He wants to set us free. So let’s let him!
The Bible says that Jesus loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They became good friends. Jesus must have found them deserving, and he let his peace rest on their house, just like he instructed the disciples to do. Wow! That sounds like a blessing we could all use! Let’s ask him continually for his peace to rest on our homes! This family wasn’t perfect… but they loved him. Of course, Jesus loves everyone, but he had a very special relationship with this family. They connected with him and made him feel appreciated, just for himself, not merely for what he could do for them. He could relax, and speak from the heart, without the onslaught of criticism and testing. He probably stayed with them whenever he was passing anywhere nearby. Now wouldn’t that be awesome?! I imagine Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to him intently every time. Hopefully Martha allowed herself to sit and listen too.
The next time we hear about them is on a very sad occasion. Lazarus was very sick. Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was deathly ill, and to please come right away. But Jesus didn’t. Jesus could have healed Lazarus from where he was. But he didn’t. He didn’t on purpose. He always has a purpose. Lazarus died.
When Jesus arrived on the edge of town, Martha hurried out to meet him. She knew that Lazarus would have lived, if Jesus had been there. She just couldn’t understand. Losing someone you love is so painful… it was so hard for Lazarus to be gone… so final. Jesus consoled Martha with his comforting words, “Your brother will rise again. I am the Resurrection and the Life.” He asked if she believed that. Martha told him she believed she would see her brother again, and that she knew that even now God would give Jesus whatever he asked for. That is comforting to believe. But I think Jesus was asking her, not only if she believed in her head, but if she trusted him from her heart. If she trusted that he himself… Jesus, right there standing in front of her… was resurrection itself. LIFE itself! Jesus knew Martha needed to be set free of her worries, and to trust him. Trusting and receiving his life-giving, resurrection power are more of those things that take time quietly sitting at his feet. Nothing like the pain of loss to drive us there.
Then Jesus asked Martha how Mary was doing. He knew Mary was heart-broken. He knew how tender her heart was, and how deeply Mary loved her family. Martha just shook her head. She went to get Mary, taking her aside from the group of mourners, and told her that Jesus was asking for her. Mary went straight to Jesus, mourners following close behind.
“When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet.“ Her broken heart could barely keep her upright. The only thing that helped ease her pain was to keep her focus on the Lord and his loving plan. She trusted him completely and walked humbly with him. Everything Jesus had taught Mary, even her very relationship with him, was being put to the test. Mary poured out her heart to Jesus, “ ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping,… he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.” Mary held nothing back. Her heart was suffering in anguish. She sobbed at his feet.
It broke Jesus’ heart to see Mary’s broken heart. Her weeping moved Jesus to tears. Her dear brother Lazarus was gone. It literally felt as if Lazarus had been ripped from her heart. How could she go on without him? Jesus knew the pain of losing his own father, Joseph. All those years without him! Jesus knew the devastating pain Mary was feeling. Mary’s sorrow, and her humble cries at his feet, pressed Jesus to move quickly to complete his mission. He wanted with all of his heart to give her relief. And it was according to the eternal plan for him to work a miracle to do just that. He immediately asked where they had laid Lazarus’ body.
In light of the miracle Jesus was about to do, the Bible tells us two strange statements about what Jesus was feeling. It says “he was deeply moved” and it also says “Jesus wept”. Those who were standing nearby, having no idea in the world what Jesus was about to do, were overwhelmed at Jesus’ display of deep anguish, saying, “See how he loved him!” Have you ever thought about why Jesus was so deeply moved and weeping? He certainly wasn’t crying because he believed death is the end, or because he was powerless to do anything. Jesus surely wasn’t crying because he missed Lazarus, or sad because of the future without him. I don’t even think he was crying at this point because of Martha’s and Mary’s grief, because he knew that their pain would be alleviated very quickly! And the anger had nothing to do with criticism for what he did or didn’t do. He was always content to do his Father’s will. What others thought didn’t even faze him. So, why was Jesus in such anguish?
Because death is awful. Horrible beyond words.
Jesus didn’t speak about death at Lazarus’ tomb. He groaned. He groaned from the depth of his being. He cried in sorrow as no man had ever heard before. In Jesus we see how our God grieves over death. As painful as it is for us, our God feels it far deeper. He knew it should never have been this way. Death, simply put, is separation. And it all started when we rebelled against God, separating ourselves from him. We have all felt it. Separated from God. Separated from each other. All the pain that going our own was has caused! All the selfishness and the fighting and the broken families and the running from God. All of this temporal separation is excruciating. But Jesus could not bear to be separated from us forever. That price is too, too heavy. That is what grieves and angers and troubles Jesus beyond words, to the point of deep groaning. Death is awful.
And, I think that was a significant part of Jesus’ time spent with his heavenly Father. Grieving over the dying condition of the people he met every day, and pleading for them to have his life poured into them. He knew then and he knows now, that he is the only one who can truly satisfy our hearts. He prays for us to be reunited with God - to have his life in us. His prayers are always answered.
Jesus went to Lazarus’ tomb and told the men to remove the stone. What?! Lazarus had been dead for four days, and Martha was sure that opening the tomb was a very bad idea! I always shake my head at how the King James version has Martha saying, “Lord, by this time he stinketh.” You’ve just got to love the King James Version! It can even make rotting flesh sound highbrow! And, I don’t mean to pick on Martha, but didn’t she figure Jesus knew that? Martha had the tendency to think she knew better than everybody else. And she felt the undeniable urge to tell everyone her opinion. Even Jesus! In my opinion, since nobody asked me either, Martha would have done better to leave some dirty dishes in the sink, and to pay closer attention to Jesus! And didn’t she just confess she believed Jesus was the Messiah? And that God would give him whatever he asked for? She believed in her head, she just couldn’t imagine what Jesus was able to do! You see, believing in our head is great, and necessary. But when we believe Jesus from our hearts, now there’s a peaceful place to live. Of course, Jesus didn’t say criticize Martha. He just patiently reminded her of what he had probably told her many times before, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Lord help us not to second guess You and Your wisdom, and Your power to work miracles in our lives!
Mary, on the other hand, had wisely learned to patiently watch Jesus. She displayed her trust and confidence in him, which is the highest form of respect. Mary had learned from practical experience that Jesus was wise and loving, and so faithful, no matter what was happening. Mary was free from any fretting in her spirit to sit at Jesus’ feet, so to speak, and to completely rejoice in the miracle Jesus was about to work for her.
After Jesus cried aloud in anguish, praying silently to his Father, Jesus prayed aloud for the crowd to hear, “I thank you Father that you always hear me – and that these may believe that you sent me.” And then he shouted….
“Lazarus, come forth! “
Mary and Martha could hardly believe their ears! Was Jesus calling Lazarus back from death? It was as wild then as it would be now! But immediately, before their very eyes, Lazarus came walking to the entrance of the cave, like a mummy on an old black and white movie! The shock! The utter joy! The crowd let out a huge gasp in amazement! Mary and Martha could not move because of the shock! Their mouths hung open, but no words came out. We’ve heard the story so many tine, don’t let your familiarity let you miss what happened… Jesus spoke and Lazarus came back from the other side! His body which surely did “stinketh” was reconstituted in a flash! Jesus truly is the Resurrection and the Life! He has complete power over death!
After what seemed like forever, but was just a moment, Jesus told them to loose Lazarus from the linen cloths. Funny he had to say that. Everyone must have just been standing there, unable to know what to do next. With that, the sisters were shaken out of their state of shock. They ran to their brother, and began tearing the linen wrappings off of him. They laughed and they cried and they gave glory to Jesus! They were beside themselves to see him Lazarus alive again!
Not to spoil the moment, but have you ever thought about how Lazarus felt about all of this? To leave the safety and bliss of Paradise, and be back in his earthly body? The Bible doesn’t say, but he must have been in shock too! One minute he was in glory… the next minute he was inside his tomb. But to be sure, he was happy to be back with his family, and happy to be part of Jesus revealing his truth and power. This precious family was blessed to be part of one of Jesus’ most amazing and significant miracles. They had told Jesus that they would help him in any way they could, and he sure took them up on it! And it wasn’t over yet! This miracle caused a huge hubbub with the religious leaders in Jerusalem only a few miles away. Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead was witnessed by a large crowd. It was undeniable. This miracle was all the talk in Jerusalem! And it was broadcast from every news outlet! Lazarus was a rock star! But not so much with the religious leaders. Because of their hatred and jealousy of Jesus, Lazarus was number one on their “Most Wanted” list! Seriously, the Bible says that the religious leaders made plans to put Lazarus to death too. Why? Because so many people believed in Jesus because Lazarus was raised from the dead! His very life was proof of Jesus being the Son of God! So the religious leaders figured they had to kill Lazarus! Isn’t that outrageous? Those guys were out of control! Now Martha really had something to worry about! Or maybe, all of these lessons taught them to live in peaceful trust of Jesus and his perfect plan and loving protection.
If the leaders were out to kill Lazarus, no doubt they wanted to kill Jesus even more. As awful as it seemed then, and now, I think this family began to understand that Jesus’ death was his very purpose for being born. Mary certainly did. She had listened to Jesus intently with her heart. She was one of the few who understood that Jesus was going to literally be the atoning sacrifice for sin. Just like the lambs they sacrificed year after year, transferring their sins to those lambs, she knew Jesus WAS the eternal Lamb of God. Mary knew Jesus was going to die for her sins… very soon. Jesus had withdrawn to Ephraim since all the uproar over him raising Lazarus from the dead. The Passover Festival was in only six days. Mary felt strongly that this Passover was the time. His days with them were running out. Each night of the Passover that Jesus and his disciples stayed with them, might be the last.
When Lazarus died, Mary had learned the importance of doing good to those you love while they are with you. What a temporary home this earth is. So she thought and wondered and prayed about what would be the perfect gift to give Jesus. It would be her last gift to him. She and Martha decided to have a special dinner in honor of Jesus when he stayed with them during Passover week. They made a beautiful celebration for him. And this time there was no complaining about any of the work! I imagine all of his friends were there. It might have been a huge surprise for Jesus, that is, if you could ever surprise Jesus. They all had a wonderful time together, but some sensed that there were rough days ahead, though no one brought it up.
After the dinner was over, everyone relaxed, talking among themselves. Jesus wasn’t teaching that night. Though by his very presence, I guess Jesus was always teaching. He was simply enjoying the precious moments with good friends. Then Mary did something stunning. She had a very expensive jar of perfume called nard. It cost a year’s wages! Of course, it was only meant for a very special occasion, and was to be used sparingly. It was her most prized possession. But it meant nothing to her except to be used for her true prize, Jesus. There was nothing and no one more dear to her on all the earth. And he was going to die soon. For her. As painful as her brother’s death was, losing Jesus’ was going to be painful beyond explanation.
I picture Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, as usual. Trying not to draw attention to herself, she opened her jar of perfume, and started pouring it out on Jesus’ feet. Maybe she didn’t intend to pour out the whole thing, but she kept pouring, and pouring, as if she was pouring out her love for him. The