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John

John 
Day 
Day 147

A subtle contrast intended

Text: John 11 : 17-44

A SUBTLE CONTRAST INTENDED

It is not without significance that John mentioned “The Jews” as part of the people who came to offer comfort to Martha and Mary. John used the term “The Jews” to describe the following:-

1. The Pharisees

John used the term “The Jews” and “The Pharisees interchangeably. These were powerful enough to cast anyone who opposed them out of the synagogue (John 9:13, 15, 22, 34)

2. The Enemies of Jesus

The Jews were portrayed as people who constantly opposed Jesus. They blasphemed Him. They plotted to kill Him. They dogged His every movement (John 5:16,18; 7:1; 8:52; 10:24, 39).

3. A Group Divided

John also carefully noted that “The Jews” were a divided lot. There were those who were violently opposed to Jesus. However, there were also those who were at least open, if not friendly or inclined towards Jesus (John 6:52; 7:50; 9:16; 10:19-21).

Who were “The Jews” who came to offer comfort to the bereaved family? What words of comfort could they offer; given the wickedness in their heart so clearly evidenced in the way they treated Jesus. Did their presence in the home of Martha and Mary cause Jesus, among other reasons, not to appear personally?

The Jews noticed that Mary abruptly left her home and all her guests. What unusual behaviour that was. How could she leave all her guests? The behaviour of this family was puzzling. First, it was Martha who went missing. Now it was Mary’s turn. What could have caused them to behave so oddly? John noted their reasoning.

“Then the Jews who were with her in the house,
and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose
up quickly and went out, followed her, saying,
‘She is going to the tomb to weep there.’ “
John 11:31

The Jews did not have a clue as to what was happening. Martha and Mary of course knew that the Jews were divided in their opinions concerning Jesus. There were those who were sympathetic, and there were those who were strongly opposed. Both groups of people were apparently there in her home. She could not turn away the enemies of Jesus. That would be socially unacceptable! Their presence would just have to be tolerated. Perhaps it was because Martha and Mary were aware of the hostility of the Jews towards Jesus that they spoke to each other secretly. They were not about to tell the Jews that Jesus had come. Mary certainly did not tell them that she was not going to the tomb to weep for her brother. She was going to see her Teacher!

A TEARFUL MEETING

Mary like her sister needed to express what she felt deep inside her heart. John described this tender meeting between Disciple and Teacher.

“Then, when Mary came where Jesus was,
and saw Him, she fell down at His feet,
saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been
here, my brother would not have died.’ “
John 11:32

Martha and Mary must have been in deep discussion with each other over a number of matters. They must have agreed together to send for Jesus. They must have sent out that message with a great sense of urgency. They had faith that Jesus could have healed their brother Lazarus. However, Jesus had delayed His coming till “it was too late”. Lazarus had been dead and entombed for four days already.

It was now Mary’s turn to weep out her disappointment. Why had not Jesus come to them when they needed Him most! Why had He delayed? It was now too late, wasn’t it? Lazarus lay dead! What could Jesus do to rectify the situation?

Mary must have wept copiously, even as she poured out her heart to Jesus! Death seemed to be so final! John noted that her sorrow and tears were such that many were moved.

“Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping,
and the Jews who came with her weeping,
He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.”
John 11:33

Why did Mary weep? Had she not learned many deep lessons of faith, sitting at the feet of Jesus, when He visited her home (Luke 10:38-42). Was her faith so limited that she could not see beyond her grief? Was this earthly life all there was to it?

Jesus was rightly troubled, and “groaned in the spirit”. However, it was not because He felt the same sorrow that Mary felt! He knew that Lazarus would die. He had allowed Lazarus to expire! He had especially come to perform a special work of God that would bring great glory to His Father.

Jesus knew that Mary’s sorrow was so deep at that point of time that words would not help heal the sorrow in her heart. He turned to speak to those who accompanied her and said,

“‘Where have you laid him?’
They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ “
John 11:34

Jesus had just spoken to Martha and had encouraged her to believe in Him as the One who had the power of life and death! He was the Resurrection and the Life! Perhaps Martha needed that further word of explanation and encouragement to exercise faith, but did Mary need that at all? Could she not have trusted Jesus in times of great distress and sorrow? What happened to all that knowledge that she was taught by none other than the Teacher Himself?