Martha Lazarus and Mary
Before you begin: this story is based on the account in John 11. It is interesting that the story is only mentioned once in the New Testament indicating Matthew, Mark, and Luke were not present at the time of such a memorable and note worthy miracle.
Martha Lazarus and Mary
Lazarus was Lying on his bed, a fever raged, transparent deathly grey. Mary sat holding his hand comforting him, Martha sponged the sweat from his brow. The fever had descended suddenly. He had been working three days ago, then it came - fever, laboured breathing, weakness."Send for Jesus," he whispered weakly in a husky voice.
Martha visited a neighbour, who was good friends with Mary. "Lazarus is becoming worse,”She informed her, “He looks like your friend Jacob.”Hannah came to have a look but didn't enter the door way."I hope it's not contagious" she said looking for a greenish or reddish mould on the house walls "Perhaps you should call a priest"“I was wondering if we could borrow your servant, to go to find Jesus.”Martha asked"Lazarus requested it, it would be really comforting to know that Jesus was coming.”"I suppose you can have him," came the reluctant reply" But not too long, I have work for him. Do you know actually know where Jesus is?”"No," said Martha, "Somewhere up north I think.”
The servant hurried north with the instructions to find Jesus and relay a message He asked in each town he crossed, "He was here" came the replies, "Don't know where he went- ask so and so, they know him." Some directions were good, others were ill informed but after three days he finally found him."Master Jesus, Martha and Mary of Bethany sent me to tell you: “Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.”Jesus replied “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God might be glorified by it.”The servant hearing this bowed and started back again.
Meanwhile in Bethany Lazarus was delirious with the fever, burning hot, he cried out peoples names, mumbling as though he was conversing with someone.Martha and Mary looked on helplessly, hoping for news of Jesus.All at once Lazarus sat up in bed and exclaimed, "Jesus you came"Mary and Martha spun around looking in the direction of Lazarus's gaze , but there was no one there, and when they looked back again Lazarus had fallen back on the bed -dead.Mary burst into tears, Martha stared in disbelief, then stood and wandered outside." If only Jesus had been here." In a methodical stupor Martha proceeded to the neighbours to inform them of Lazarus's death. Martha being a practical person knew what to do, he must be buried by sundown. Where was she to find burial wrap? The afternoon seemed very short, Jerusalem seemed to have moved further away. One of the neighbours offered some old linen sheets which they tore into strips, and used an old head scarf to cover his face. Martha wished she had prepared earlier but she was expecting Lazarus to survive until Jesus arrived.
News spread fast. People came from Jerusalem to comfort Mary and Martha for the traditional seven day mourning period.
Jesus remained where he was for two more days. Then said to the disciples, “Let's go back to Judea.”The disciples were concerned, "Rabbi, the Jews recently tried to stone You, and You want to go back?”Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of the world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is absent. Our friend Lazarus sleeps. But I go to wake him up.”His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get well.""No Lazarus is already dead." He explained, "He died two days ago. I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, in order that you may believe. So let us go to him.”Thomas commented to the other disciples, "Sounds like this is the end, we had better go with him." Most of the disciples were hesitant and decided to follow a day later.
When the servant returned he reported to Hannah the message who considered it was too late to relay it, "He just got it wrong this time." she mused.But when Martha saw that the servant had returned she asked what the reply was.Martha was a little mystified when she was told, "But he had already died" she reasoned, “The words make no sense, surely he knew that, He's a prophet. Perhaps the servant had heard wrong.” She resolved not to tell Mary as she had taken the death hard, but she pondered the reply in her heart.
Martha was at the street market, situated either side of the Jerusalem to Jericho road, a welcome relief for those traveling the steep road from Jericho. She was in the process of buying things for a meal when she heard a man on a donkey saying, 'Jesus the prophet is heading this way.'"Excuse me" she said, “I couldn't help overhearing you, where did you see him?”“He was coming up on the Jericho Road heading this way.”Her first thought was I will need extra supplies, then came the overwhelming urge to go to him. So leaving her bag with a shop keeper she knew, she headed out of town. With an involuntary stride downhill Martha made good time. While she walked she thought of her brother, so disappointed that Jesus hadn't arrived in time. She recalled the other incidents of the widows son that had been brought back to life, and the fig tree that had withered. Oh how she would have loved to have been there to witness them herself. She concluded he had power over life and death, but what about Lazarus could he be raised from the dead? It's been four days, the stench could be smelt outside the tomb already. A mixture of faith and doubt swept over her soul and she spent most of the time trying to think of the right words to speak when she met him.
It was almost fifteen minutes before she saw a group of people ahead resting under a tree. Once Martha had caught her breath she recited, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, whatever You will ask of God, God will give You,”Jesus said to her, “Your brother shall rise again.”It took a little while to respond as she analyzed what Jesus said, Martha replied, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day” thinking of the easiest thing to believe.Jesus said "I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God,who has come into the world,” not that she understood what he had said.Jesus said “Go and call Mary.”Walking slowly back up the steep grade Martha wondered why she hadn't had the presence of mind to call Mary herself before she descended this steep path. Then she remembered all the people from Jerusalem that had come to grieve with them. The last thing she wanted to do was say that Jesus had arrived and have the temple guard arrive to take Him away, but she couldn't think of what to do. She arrived back at the market and saw Hannah her neighbour heading back towards her house, holding provisions.Martha ran to catch up with her, “Hannah, Are you heading home?”“Yes”“Could I ask you to do me a favour?”“Sure”“Could you tell Mary that Jesus is on the Jericho road and has asked to see her.”“So he's finally here? Better late than never. Sorry that's a bit hard, I'm sure he will be a comfort to you both.”“I'm just concerned about the visitors,” Martha frowned,” We wouldn't want word to get back to the priests in Jerusalem.”“Don't worry- I'll be very discreet - I'm good at that.”Hannah smiled knowingly.With that Martha returned to where she had met Jesus.
When Hannah entered Martha's house, a cold silence descended over the murmur of voices. She felt all the eyes staring at her while she continued over to Mary and whispered into her ear. The message took a while to sink in and Hannah was already out the door when Mary rushed past her leaving her guests behind.Her guests seeing her leave thought she was going back to the grave to weep and where a little surprised to see her continue past the path to the grave.
When Mary reached the place where Jesus and Martha were, Mary fell down at His feet, and said to Him, almost accusingly, in tears, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”Jesus groaned in the spirit and was grieved at the spectacle before him. When He saw her weeping, and also the Jews who came with her weeping. He said, “Where have you laid him?”They replied, “Lord, come we will show you.”They traveled back up the hill to the track that led to the tomb.Standing looking at a distance from the grave, hearing the weeping and unbelief that surrounded Him. Jesus himself wept, not for sadness but for their lack of faith.Then the Jews seeing that said, “Behold how He loved him!”Some of them said, “Was not this Man who opened the eyes of the blind able also to cause that even this one should not have died?”Then Jesus, groaning in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, a fly covered stone lay over the entrance.Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”Martha objected, “Lord, the smell is repulsive, it has been four days. I don't think viewing his body now is going to be very pleasant.”"Martha did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"A look of realization and hope spread across her face.Then she indicated to a couple of others and they rolled away the stone from the entrance to the cave.Those looking on whispered to each other, "What on earth is he doing?"Someone commented,"He just wants to see the body to pay his respects"Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I know that You hear Me always, but because of the people who stand by I said it, so that they may believe that You have sent Me.He then cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come here!"There was a stunned silence then a murmur "What did he say?” “Are you sure he said that?” “You have got to be joking!”Nothing seem to happen.A chuckle was heard "He's really made a fool of himself this time"A figure wrapped in linen struggling with the bindings that held his arms at his side and his legs together shuffled ungracefully to the entrance.Every one stood with their mouths open, a few dull thuds were heard as some of those watching fainted at the unbelievable sight. Most wondered if they were seeing a ghost.Jesus saw them hesitate, “Don't be afraid ,”he said breaking the stunned silence” Go untie him and let him go!”The inexpressible joy that overwhelmed the sisters as they freed Lazarus from his bindings. Who could doubt this man now, truly he is the Messiah.
John 11:45 Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ©2008 Stephen Share
Martha Lazarus and Mary
Lazarus was Lying on his bed, a fever raged, transparent deathly grey. Mary sat holding his hand comforting him, Martha sponged the sweat from his brow. The fever had descended suddenly. He had been working three days ago, then it came - fever, laboured breathing, weakness."Send for Jesus," he whispered weakly in a husky voice.
Martha visited a neighbour, who was good friends with Mary. "Lazarus is becoming worse,”She informed her, “He looks like your friend Jacob.”Hannah came to have a look but didn't enter the door way."I hope it's not contagious" she said looking for a greenish or reddish mould on the house walls "Perhaps you should call a priest"“I was wondering if we could borrow your servant, to go to find Jesus.”Martha asked"Lazarus requested it, it would be really comforting to know that Jesus was coming.”"I suppose you can have him," came the reluctant reply" But not too long, I have work for him. Do you know actually know where Jesus is?”"No," said Martha, "Somewhere up north I think.”
The servant hurried north with the instructions to find Jesus and relay a message He asked in each town he crossed, "He was here" came the replies, "Don't know where he went- ask so and so, they know him." Some directions were good, others were ill informed but after three days he finally found him."Master Jesus, Martha and Mary of Bethany sent me to tell you: “Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.”Jesus replied “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, so that the Son of God might be glorified by it.”The servant hearing this bowed and started back again.
Meanwhile in Bethany Lazarus was delirious with the fever, burning hot, he cried out peoples names, mumbling as though he was conversing with someone.Martha and Mary looked on helplessly, hoping for news of Jesus.All at once Lazarus sat up in bed and exclaimed, "Jesus you came"Mary and Martha spun around looking in the direction of Lazarus's gaze , but there was no one there, and when they looked back again Lazarus had fallen back on the bed -dead.Mary burst into tears, Martha stared in disbelief, then stood and wandered outside." If only Jesus had been here." In a methodical stupor Martha proceeded to the neighbours to inform them of Lazarus's death. Martha being a practical person knew what to do, he must be buried by sundown. Where was she to find burial wrap? The afternoon seemed very short, Jerusalem seemed to have moved further away. One of the neighbours offered some old linen sheets which they tore into strips, and used an old head scarf to cover his face. Martha wished she had prepared earlier but she was expecting Lazarus to survive until Jesus arrived.
News spread fast. People came from Jerusalem to comfort Mary and Martha for the traditional seven day mourning period.
Jesus remained where he was for two more days. Then said to the disciples, “Let's go back to Judea.”The disciples were concerned, "Rabbi, the Jews recently tried to stone You, and You want to go back?”Jesus replied, “Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble because he sees the light of the world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles because the light is absent. Our friend Lazarus sleeps. But I go to wake him up.”His disciples said, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get well.""No Lazarus is already dead." He explained, "He died two days ago. I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, in order that you may believe. So let us go to him.”Thomas commented to the other disciples, "Sounds like this is the end, we had better go with him." Most of the disciples were hesitant and decided to follow a day later.
When the servant returned he reported to Hannah the message who considered it was too late to relay it, "He just got it wrong this time." she mused.But when Martha saw that the servant had returned she asked what the reply was.Martha was a little mystified when she was told, "But he had already died" she reasoned, “The words make no sense, surely he knew that, He's a prophet. Perhaps the servant had heard wrong.” She resolved not to tell Mary as she had taken the death hard, but she pondered the reply in her heart.
Martha was at the street market, situated either side of the Jerusalem to Jericho road, a welcome relief for those traveling the steep road from Jericho. She was in the process of buying things for a meal when she heard a man on a donkey saying, 'Jesus the prophet is heading this way.'"Excuse me" she said, “I couldn't help overhearing you, where did you see him?”“He was coming up on the Jericho Road heading this way.”Her first thought was I will need extra supplies, then came the overwhelming urge to go to him. So leaving her bag with a shop keeper she knew, she headed out of town. With an involuntary stride downhill Martha made good time. While she walked she thought of her brother, so disappointed that Jesus hadn't arrived in time. She recalled the other incidents of the widows son that had been brought back to life, and the fig tree that had withered. Oh how she would have loved to have been there to witness them herself. She concluded he had power over life and death, but what about Lazarus could he be raised from the dead? It's been four days, the stench could be smelt outside the tomb already. A mixture of faith and doubt swept over her soul and she spent most of the time trying to think of the right words to speak when she met him.
It was almost fifteen minutes before she saw a group of people ahead resting under a tree. Once Martha had caught her breath she recited, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now, whatever You will ask of God, God will give You,”Jesus said to her, “Your brother shall rise again.”It took a little while to respond as she analyzed what Jesus said, Martha replied, “I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day” thinking of the easiest thing to believe.Jesus said "I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God,who has come into the world,” not that she understood what he had said.Jesus said “Go and call Mary.”Walking slowly back up the steep grade Martha wondered why she hadn't had the presence of mind to call Mary herself before she descended this steep path. Then she remembered all the people from Jerusalem that had come to grieve with them. The last thing she wanted to do was say that Jesus had arrived and have the temple guard arrive to take Him away, but she couldn't think of what to do. She arrived back at the market and saw Hannah her neighbour heading back towards her house, holding provisions.Martha ran to catch up with her, “Hannah, Are you heading home?”“Yes”“Could I ask you to do me a favour?”“Sure”“Could you tell Mary that Jesus is on the Jericho road and has asked to see her.”“So he's finally here? Better late than never. Sorry that's a bit hard, I'm sure he will be a comfort to you both.”“I'm just concerned about the visitors,” Martha frowned,” We wouldn't want word to get back to the priests in Jerusalem.”“Don't worry- I'll be very discreet - I'm good at that.”Hannah smiled knowingly.With that Martha returned to where she had met Jesus.
When Hannah entered Martha's house, a cold silence descended over the murmur of voices. She felt all the eyes staring at her while she continued over to Mary and whispered into her ear. The message took a while to sink in and Hannah was already out the door when Mary rushed past her leaving her guests behind.Her guests seeing her leave thought she was going back to the grave to weep and where a little surprised to see her continue past the path to the grave.
When Mary reached the place where Jesus and Martha were, Mary fell down at His feet, and said to Him, almost accusingly, in tears, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”Jesus groaned in the spirit and was grieved at the spectacle before him. When He saw her weeping, and also the Jews who came with her weeping. He said, “Where have you laid him?”They replied, “Lord, come we will show you.”They traveled back up the hill to the track that led to the tomb.Standing looking at a distance from the grave, hearing the weeping and unbelief that surrounded Him. Jesus himself wept, not for sadness but for their lack of faith.Then the Jews seeing that said, “Behold how He loved him!”Some of them said, “Was not this Man who opened the eyes of the blind able also to cause that even this one should not have died?”Then Jesus, groaning in Himself again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, a fly covered stone lay over the entrance.Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”Martha objected, “Lord, the smell is repulsive, it has been four days. I don't think viewing his body now is going to be very pleasant.”"Martha did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"A look of realization and hope spread across her face.Then she indicated to a couple of others and they rolled away the stone from the entrance to the cave.Those looking on whispered to each other, "What on earth is he doing?"Someone commented,"He just wants to see the body to pay his respects"Jesus lifted his eyes toward heaven and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I know that You hear Me always, but because of the people who stand by I said it, so that they may believe that You have sent Me.He then cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come here!"There was a stunned silence then a murmur "What did he say?” “Are you sure he said that?” “You have got to be joking!”Nothing seem to happen.A chuckle was heard "He's really made a fool of himself this time"A figure wrapped in linen struggling with the bindings that held his arms at his side and his legs together shuffled ungracefully to the entrance.Every one stood with their mouths open, a few dull thuds were heard as some of those watching fainted at the unbelievable sight. Most wondered if they were seeing a ghost.Jesus saw them hesitate, “Don't be afraid ,”he said breaking the stunned silence” Go untie him and let him go!”The inexpressible joy that overwhelmed the sisters as they freed Lazarus from his bindings. Who could doubt this man now, truly he is the Messiah.
John 11:45 Then many of the Jews who came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 ©2008 Stephen Share