The Gospel of John: John 11.17-37

Read and meditate on John 11.31, 32.
It seems clear that Mary and Martha had shared this sentiment with one another. Now Mary was sharing it with Jesus.

                          ³¹Those who came to be
with Mary, and to comfort her, when they
saw her go quickly forth, they made their way
to follow her, because they thought that she
was going to the tomb, and hope to be
with her and weep there. ³²Mary came to where
the Lord was, falling down before Him there
and saying, “Lord, if You had been here, he
would not have died.”

- John 11.31, 32

Reflect
1.  Do you get the sense John was slowing the action down considerably? Why would he do that? Did he want us, like the Jews – indeed, like Jesus (v. 35) – to enter this grieving? Should we expect Scripture to affect us in our emotions as we read? Explain. Complete the following prayer: Lord, I want to learn Your Word not only with my mind, but in my heart, in my conscience, and…

2.  We note that many people – Jews – had come to grieve with Mary (vv. 19, 31). These Jews were not believers in Jesus, or I’m sure John would have mentioned as much. They were not saved, but here we find them doing a good work, comforting a neighbor. Clearly, unbelievers can do good, but not unto salvation. Nevertheless, why is it important that we, like John here, acknowledge the good works that unbelievers do? Lord, help me to make a point of observing the good works of my unbelieving friends, and…

3.  The Jews thought Mary was going to the tomb. Instead, she led them right to Jesus (v. 32). How do you suppose these people responded to seeing Jesus back in their neck of the woods? Out of courtesy to the grieving sisters, they mounted no confrontation, but simply observed. What would Mary’s actions and words have said to them? Lord, no matter the state I’m in, what I’m having to deal with or work through, help me always to…

4.  Mary’s words to Jesus were identical to Martha’s, to a point (v. 21). Clearly, these ladies had shared this sentiment with one another. But Mary omitted the second part of Martha’s statement. Does this suggest anything about where she may have been in the process of her grieving, as compared with her sister? At the same time, her action before Jesus was more pronounced than Martha’s – she fell at Jesus’ feet. People don’t grow at the same pace, or in the same way; and they don’t grieve in the same way, or process their grief at the same pace. Why is it important to understand this, when we’re seeking to comfort those who are grieving? Thank You, Lord, for Your great patience and love, which I experience every day as…

5.  Review Luke 10.38-42 and John 11.20-32. What can we learn from Mary and Martha about trusting in Jesus and following Him? Bring together your prayers from questions 1-4 into one prayer.

Summary
“As Mary came to Jesus, she immediately fell at his feet saying the same things as Martha, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ Martha is not actually said to have fallen at his feet but only to have come to him, so that it seems to many that Mary had a greater love for the Lord. This also appears from the fact that, while the Lord was at their house, Martha was intent on her service, whereas Mary, because of her great love, sat at his feet, as she did not want to be separated from her teacher even for a short time. Therefore the Lord exalted her in his praise more than Martha.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)

We can see the Lord orchestrating this situation toward the ends previously mentioned – that God’s glory would be revealed, that the Son would be glorified, and that His disciples and others would believe in Him. John is taking great pains to bring us into the profound sorrow of this situation, because he wants us to be as amazed and astonished as those people then present were. What do you suppose these Jews were saying to Mary and Martha, as they comforted them? How was this good work preparing them for what Jesus was getting read to do?

Closing Prayer
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 (Taladh Chriosda: Song of the Christ Child)
The Lord my Shepherd is, and I
Shall not want; He makes me lie
In green pastures, leads me by
Refreshing waters, still.

Restore my soul, Lord, day by day;
Lead me in Your righteous way
For Your Name’s sake, Lord, I pray,
According to Your will.

And though through death’s dark vale I go,
I no fear of evil show,
For Your rod and staff, I know,
Shall guard and comfort still.

A table You before me spread
In the midst of those I dread,
And with oil anoint my head;
My cup You over fill.

Thus goodness e’er shall follow me;
Mercy all my path shall see;
Your house shall my dwelling be,
Forever after still.

T. M. Moore

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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.