John the apostle wrote how Martha the sister of Lazarus left Jesus and, “went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calls for you. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirty-one of his book John shared how the women in Martha and Mary's house said Mary, “goes unto the grave to weep there” where we read:
The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes unto the grave to weep there.
The verse reads, “The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, ...” John began with the words, “The Jews then” which means “the Jewish people by birth, origin or religion therefore, wherefore, consequently and these things being so” “which were with her” or “who were alongside Mary” “in the house” which means “within the dwelling place, abode and habitation of Martha and Mary”, “and comforted her” or “and encouraged and consoled Mary” at the time the following occurred. John shared how the Jewish people within Martha and Mary's home who came to encourage and console her did the following.
The verse continues, “... when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goes unto the grave to weep there.” John added the words, “when they saw Mary” which means “at the time the Jewish people in the home observed, perceived and noticed Mary whose name means their rebellion”, “that she rose up hastily” or “that Mary aroused, stirred and got up speedily and without delay” “and went out” which means “and left and departed”, “followed her” or “joined and accompanied Mary”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “She goes unto the grave” or “Mary travels and journeys toward the sepulcher or tomb” “to weep there” which means “to bewail, lament and mourn at the location of the sepulcher or tomb”. John shared how the Jewish people who were gathered in Martha and Mary's home to console Mary observed her leaving and accompanied her as they surmised that she was going to Lazarus' burial place to “mourn and lament” over him.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn how the Jewish people within the home of “Martha and Mary” were not only there to comfort Mary, but were also willing to accompany her when she was going to the tomb to mourn. Though they were not correct in their assumption, their willingness to bring Mary consolation was commendable. Mary wanted to see Jesus, and when difficulties like Mary's arrive, the best place to go is to Him. Jesus came to be the “Savior and Lord” of the world, and anyone who desires to have a personal relationship with Him is invited to yield themselves to Him so they may be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Those who are wise will “run to Jesus” and allow everyone who will to accompany them as they do.
Next time John shares how Mary encountered Jesus and, “fell down at his feet, saying unto him, 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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