The Gospel of John: John 11.17-37

Read and meditate on John 11.28-30.
In something of a role reversal from Luke 10.38-42, Martha, who has been with Jesus, returns to tell Mary, busy grieving, that He is calling for her.

                           ²⁸She went  back to
her sister secretly and said, “Now He
has come, and calls for you.” ²⁹As soon as she
heard that, she rose, and quickly came to Him.
³⁰Now Jesus to the town had not yet come,
but was remaining in the place where He
had met with Martha.

- John 11.28-30

Reflect
1.  Martha confessed her faith in Jesus, and went immediately away to Mary. We have no record of any response from Jesus to her confession in verse 27. But she did not need any word of confirmation from Him, nor any promise of anything to give her hope for her brother. For Martha, knowing Jesus was enough. The blessings of that relationship would come in time. For now, she needed to get on with her life and go tell Mary to come to Jesus. What can we learn from Martha here? Complete this prayer: Lord, You will fulfill all Your promises in Your own time. My duty is to…

2.  Do not miss that word secretly in verse 28. It bears testimony to Martha’s humility. Why? It also shows her sensitivity to and love for Mary. How can you see that? Lord, keep from the temptation of wanting to parade my faith before others, of boasting about my time with You or my walk with You, so that I…

3.  There’s a kind of role reversal in this passage (recall Luke 10.38-42). Mary was too busy grieving to come to Jesus, while Martha quickly rushed to be with Him, even before He had arrived at Bethany (v. 30). Do you suppose there’s a bit of Mary and a bit of Martha in each of us? Explain. Lord, I want to be busy for You at all times, but not before I…

4.  Mary “quickly” rose to go to Jesus when she heard from Martha that He was calling her. Does Jesus “call” us in our lives today? How can we know when Jesus might be calling us, either to come to Himself or to go, like Martha, and urge others to come to Him? Help me to hear You when You call me, Lord, so that I…

5.  Again, we note that Jesus had not yet arrived in Bethany, but was waiting in a place outside the town – where all the mourners had gathered – for these private meetings of consolation and promise with Martha and Mary. How can you see Jesus’ love for these ladies in this? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote for questions 1-4.

Summary
“We may observe that the Evangelist has not said where, when or how the Lord called Mary, but for brevity’s sake he has left it to be gathered from Martha’s words.” Augustine (354-430 AD)

To whom is the Lord sending you this week with the message that Jesus has come, and wants to see them?

Closing Prayer
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.
I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
I have hated the assembly of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked.
I will wash my hands in innocence;
So I will go about Your altar, O LORD,
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works.

Psalm 26.2-7

Psalm 26.1-3, 8-12 (Aberystwyth: Jesus, Lover of My Soul)
Vindicate me, Lord on high; I have walked within Your word.
Never wav’ring, though I sigh, I have trusted You, O Lord!
Prove me, Lord, prove even me! Test my heart and try my mind.
Let Your steadfast mercy be in the path for me to find.

Lord, I love Your dwelling place, there where all Your glory shines.
Keep my soul before Your face, lest for sinful ways it pine.
As for me, in righteousness I shall walk on level ground;
Save me, Lord, renew and bless! Let me with Your Church be found!

T. M. Moore

Jesus is the Centerpiece of all Scripture, as He Himself explained (Jn. 5.39). But how can we learn to see Him there? How do the primary themes of Scripture revolve around Jesus? Our online course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, shows you how best to get at, get into, and get with the Word of God, so that you can grow more consistently in the Lord. It’s free, and you can study at your own pace. For more information or to register, click here.

Men, God is calling you to pray. Watch this brief video, then seek the Lord about joining our Men at Prayer movement.

Download our studies in the Gospel of John by clicking here.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.