Mary

March 22 Mary John 11:28-37

“From the fact that she fell down at His feet we gather that He was honored in that house beyond the ordinary custom of men. For although they used to throw themselves on the ground before kings and leaders, yet, since Christ had, so far as the flesh was concerned, nothing royal or magnificent in Himself, Mary fell down at His feet for a different reason. She would not have done so had she not been persuaded that He was the Son of God.” John Calvin “Commentary on John” Vol. 5:11

Having met with Jesus and confessed faith in Him, Martha did what all witnesses must do, she directed another person to Him. Just as Andrew had introduced his brother, Peter to Jesus, Martha went to find Mary, her sister, so that she could talk with Him. Of course, Mary already knew Jesus, but perhaps she had never responded to Him in faith. This was her opportunity.

Ordinarily, a rabbi would not initiate contact with a woman, but Jesus asked for Mary and she got up quickly and came to Him. These were not ordinary circumstances; more importantly, this was no ordinary rabbi, even though Martha had reverted to an earlier title by calling Jesus “Teacher”. Mary came to Jesus, bringing with her a number of Jews from Jerusalem who had come to share in the mourning period for Lazarus. Mary’s encounter with Jesus was, therefore, more public than her sister’s, which may account for the differences in His response.

Mary is mentioned three times in the Gospels. On every occasion she is found at Jesus’ feet. Once, she sat before Him and listened as her sister worked; once, she anointed Him with expensive perfume; and once, when her brother had died, she poured out her sorrows at His feet. These are her only recorded words; they are identical to her sister’s. She seems to have been a much more sensitive soul, with a quieter nature than Martha’s. Perhaps she was used to having her sister take all of the decisions? She did not reply to Jesus with her own confession, but there can be little doubt that she did respond in faith.

As for Jesus, He was moved by emotion as He faced the situation that was to seal His fate. But it was not fear that moved Him, neither was it sorrow over the loss of His friend. Jesus was not overcome with sympathy for Martha and Mary; after all, He knew that Lazarus would soon emerge from the tomb. The words used indicate that Jesus was angry. “Deeply-moved” normally referred to outrage. Jesus was seething with anger. Why?

Jesus was not angry because some of the mourners were only pretending to mourn the death of Lazarus; there is nothing in the text to suggest this. Neither was He angry because He was being made to perform a miracle; that was exactly why He had come. Jesus was angry, it would seem, because of the misery inflicted on humanity by sin and death. Sin had brought death into the world. Now, the sin of unbelief was resulting in spiritual death. He was face to face with the consequences of human rebellion. Having been there at he beginning as the pre-incarnate Word, He knew that creation had been good. Now, the human Jesus expressed His frustration with those who stubbornly refused to believe. The culture of death was crucifying creation. In anger, Jesus wept.

For further reading: Psalm 118