“And He went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. Then many came to Him and said, ‘John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke abut this Man were true.’ And many believed in Him there.” John 10:40-42.

It is possible that Jesus stayed in that location until He was summoned for help, especially since it is just a matter of three or four months until His final Passover.

During that period His whereabouts would have become well known, since many were coming to Him; thus enabling the two women to know where to send for Him.

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, ‘Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.’ When Jesus heard that, He said, ‘This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” John 11:1-6.

By way of clarification, the anointing of fragrant oil spoken of in verse two above actually takes place after these things, in John 12:3.

“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” John 12:3.

My friends this is an act of true worship, casting everything at Jesus’ feet. There is another incident similar to this recorded in Luke 7:37-38.

The difference is that Mary is a believer worshipping Jesus. The other woman is described as a sinner. She is also worshipping Jesus, but as a sinner turning to Him for salvation, which she receives.

“Then He said to her [the sinful woman], ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace’” Luke 7:48-50.

You will find references to Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, in Luke 10:38-42 and in John chapters 11and 12.

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a [younger] sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:38-42.

These sisters love the Lord Jesus and they know His power. For this reason they send for the Lord, and say.

“Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” John 11:3b.

With utter confidence, and complete trust they call to Him. Surely a parent would struggle through the snow to bring their child life saving medicine?

Now Jesus loved them, we know this because verse five tells us so. Moreover, you can see by verse six, that He immediately arose and went to Bethany.

Actually that is not what the verse says is it?

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was”. John 11:5-6.

Mary and Martha’s expectations were that He would come immediately. Why did He not? The Lord answers this question in verse four.

“This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” John 11:4.

How often have we prayed fervently for someone or something with no immediate response? He answers the why in this passage – for the glory of God and that God the Son be glorified.

Ultimately, the glory of God underlies everything.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom [His own sheep] He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [to be like Jesus], that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:28-31.

If all is to glorify God, then all things that work together for good are to His glory. Moreover, at the end of Romans 8:30 it is promised that we shall be glorified. That chapter goes on to answer the question, who shall, “separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The answer is nothing.

We are glorified in Him; He is glorified in us. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were placed together in that family at that time to accomplish the purpose of God. Just think they were the witnesses to two deaths and two resurrections.

We do not always get the answer we are looking for, but God will always give us what we need.

“Then Jesus said to them [the disciples] plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him’” John 11:14-15.

Like ripples in a pool we see this message expanding ever outward. First, this is for the glory of God that the Son may be glorified too. Now it is that the disciples may believe.

What a small stone was cast into this pool, “Lord, behold he whom you love is sick.” Then the finality of the answer, “Lazarus is dead.” And the ripples spread.

“So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Then Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.’” John 11:17-22.

This narrative is rich in detail; so let us pick up where Martha goes to meet Jesus. Her first words are, “Lord if you had been here my brother would not have died.”

This is the strongest rebuke she could give to someone she loved perhaps as much or more than her own brother. Yet He is still, Lord.

Having said what she needed to say, she affirms her unwavering faith in the Lord with her very next breath.

“But even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” John 11:22.

She is not here asking Him to raise her brother. That is a cold dead issue. She is confirming her faith in Jesus and all that He is.

She is also applying a Scripture that had not been written yet.

“Looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Hebrews 12:15.

According to the dictionary, diligence is a constant and earnest effort. Diligence is a strong word and the lack thereof can cause the most grievous of mistakes.

Your diligence can make or break your life. This verse in Hebrews says, “Looking diligently.” Watching the direction of your Christian walk and keeping short accounts with God. God’s grace can give us the strength to deal with any problem, but you must seek it.

Many people become angry when they start to sink into the mire. In bitterness, they refuse to seek God’s help. This attitude will repeatedly become worse until a root of bitterness takes hold.

Martha circumvents this by making her complaint known immediately to God and then trusting Him for the answers.

Have you done this? Do not be afraid to pour out your heart before God and air all your bitterness; by all means avail yourself of His grace.

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense, I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:5-8.

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear [reverently trust] Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” Psalm 103:11-14.

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” Deuteronomy 33:27a.

Two Women, John 11:1-22 taken from godisrevealed.com
published 1-19-13 and updated on 12-4-17.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.