The apostle John wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent you may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was near unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty of his book John shared how, “Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him” where we read:
Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him:
but Mary sat still in the house.
The verse reads, “Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: ” John began with the words, “Then Martha” which means “at that time, therefore, wherefore and these things being so Martha whose name means she was rebellious”, “as soon as she heard” or “even as Martha was endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and discerning” “that Jesus was coming” which means “that the Son of God, the Savior of the world and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation was arising, appearing and coming forth”, “went and met him” or “left and departed and encountered Jesus”. John shared how “Martha” “heard” that Jesus was approaching their location, and she departed from where the others were gathered with her to “meet” Him.
The verse continues, “but Mary sat still in the house.” John added the words, “but Mary” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Mary whose name means their rebellion” “sat still in the house” or “continued to be seated, fixed and established within the dwelling place or abode”. John shared how “Mary” remained “seated” within the home where the people were gathered to comfort her.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn about the quick response of “Martha” versus the delay by “Mary”. We are not certain about the reason for the difference, but this demonstrates the variety of people Jesus invites to have a personal relationship with Him. When Jesus is “coming”, the best response is for people to humble themselves before Him, acknowledge their sin and receive His forgiveness offered to all mankind. Let everyone who reads these words choose to respond to Jesus for He is here.
Next time John shares how Martha says to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother had not died”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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