John 11:28-31 28And after she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29And when that woman heard, she rose quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31Then, when the Jews, who were with her in the house and comforting her, saw Mary, that she rose quickly and went out, they followed her, thinking that she was going to the tomb to weep there.
The story shifts to focus on Mary’s experience of Lazarus’ death and her encounter with Jesus. Martha went and found Mary in their house. A group of Jews had gathered in the home with Mary. Martha got her attention and whispered that Jesus was outside and wanted to see her. John does not record Jesus’ request to see Mary, but his concern for her as well as for Martha become clear in the following verses. He loved this family and showed it with his concern for them at this time of great loss. Martha called Jesus Teacher, or Rabbi in Aramaic, which was a sign of respect. Mary knew exactly who Martha was talking about; no name was needed for her to know Jesus was outside wanting to see her. John does not record any emotions from Mary at this point, but as the story continues, we find out that Mary was quite emotional about the whole situation. What feelings and thoughts would have swirled in her mind when she heard Jesus was waiting for her?
John notes that Jesus was still coming into the village, likely on the outer edge of it, close enough to the sister’s home for Mary and Martha to take a quick walk to meet him. Jesus intentionally stayed out a ways instead of going directly to the house. Jews were in the house with Mary, all weeping even after four days after Lazarus’ death. The Jews could have been friends or neighbors or even professionals hired to help the family mourn. Expressing sorrow with others can be a source of healing. Mary’s response of getting up quickly and going to meet Jesus indicates she saw something in Jesus that she needed. She may not have known what yet, but Jesus’ compassion and care had been evident to her before, and she knew that being with him during her time of loss was what she needed most. The Jews with her did not know she went to meet Jesus. Others would join in witnessing one of the greatest miracles of all time.
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