John the apostle wrote how Martha told Jesus that she knew her brother would rise from the dead on the last day, however Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Believe you this? She said unto him, Yes, Lord: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you”, and in chapter eleven and verse twenty-nine of his book John shared how Mary, “as soon as she heard that, she arose quickly” where we read:
As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
The verse reads, “As soon as she heard that, ...” John began with the words, “as soon as” which means “even and indeed at the time and moment” “she heard that” or “Mary was endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding that Jesus was calling her” she took the following action. John shared how Mary “heard” what Martha said and immediately responded with the following action.
The verse continues, “... she arose quickly, and came unto him.” John added the words, “she arose quickly” which means “Mary aroused, stirred and lifter herself up speedily and without delay”, “and came unto him” or “and came forth and appeared to Jesus”. John shared how Mary “got up without delay” and went to Jesus.
When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we learn how Mary responded to the invitation from Jesus through Martha. She moved toward Him “without delay” and therein set a precedent for how every person should respond to the “calling” of Jesus. Jesus came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of everyone. He calls each person, and those who come to Him in humility will be forgiven of their sins and inherit everlasting life with God. Those who are wise will “hear” Him calling, and come to Him without delay even as Mary did.
Next time John shares how Jesus, “was in that place where Martha met him”, 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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