As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.
When Mary learned that Jesus had arrived and was asking for her, she stood up at once and hurried out to meet Him where He was waiting, while the mourners with her followed because they supposed she was going to weep at the grave. This eager going out to Him belongs to the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, the greatest and crowning miracle and the last crowning evidence given to the Jews. Jesus had held back from coming while Lazarus was ill, because disease is rebuked in His immediate presence and Lazarus's death was permitted so that the resurrection might take place. In calling a man dead four days from the tomb, He showed divine power over death and revealed Himself as Saviour and Lifegiver, health and strength in Himself. The act stands as convincing public proof of His divinity, His identity as the Son of God, and His Messiahship, and it led many to believe and glorify God.
Setting at Bethany
This verse belongs to the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, the greatest and crowning miracle of Christ and the last crowning evidence given to the Jews that Jesus is the Son of God. Lazarus was among the most steadfast of the disciples, strong in faith from the first meeting, deep in love, and greatly beloved by the Saviour. Though Christ blessed all who sought His help and loves all the human family, He was bound to the family at Bethany by peculiarly tender associations, His heart knit to them by a strong bond of affection, and for one of them His most wonderful work was wrought.
Bethany, at the house of Lazarus, was where Jesus often found rest, for He had no home of His own and depended on the hospitality of friends and disciples. Weary and thirsting for human fellowship, He was glad to escape there from the suspicion and jealousy of the angry Pharisees to a peaceful household of sincere welcome and pure, holy friendship, a quiet home with interested listeners. He longed for human tenderness, courtesy and affection, and those who received the heavenly instruction He was ready to impart were greatly blessed. There He could speak with simplicity and perfect freedom, knowing His words would be understood and treasured, opening to an appreciative audience the volume of Providence and unfolding in private what He did not tell the mixed multitude, needing no parables for friends. While the multitudes following through the open fields were slow of hearing, He found there rest from the weary conflict of public life.
Mary was an earnest listener to Jesus, and she and Martha trusted Him to do what was best although He did not come immediately when Lazarus was ill. He delayed by divine wisdom, for He is health and strength in Himself and disease is always rebuked in His immediate presence, so He could not witness suffering, disease or death without bringing relief and combatting the power of Satan. The death of Lazarus was permitted so that through his resurrection the crowning miracle might occur and many might believe and glorify God. As soon as she heard Martha's secret message that the Master had come and was calling for her, Mary rose hastily with an eager look, left the room quickly and went outside to where Jesus was waiting. The mourners followed because they thought she had gone to the grave to weep, and on reaching Him she knelt at His feet saying with quivering lips, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. In that account Jesus came to Mary and Martha after Lazarus's death, shared their grief, gave their buried brother back to them, and brought them unspeakable joy.
Power and Meaning
Lazarus had been dead four days, his body already seeing corruption, when Jesus broke the slumbers of the dead by calling him from the tomb. That calling forth shows divine power over death and reveals Christ as Saviour and Lifegiver, health and strength in Himself. It was demonstrated shortly before His entry into Jerusalem, together with the raising of the son of the widow of Nain and Jairus's daughter.
It stands as convincing public proof of His divinity and identity as the Son of God, of His authority and Messiahship. It revealed the Father to believers and unbelievers, with Lazarus's own life testifying to Christ. It led many to believe in Him and to glorify God. The raising points to His return, when the dead in Christ will rise to immortal life and be with the Lord.
Lazarus returned to life mortal, not clothed with immortality, and remained subject to death and decay. This is unlike those who came forth at Christ's own resurrection, who were raised to everlasting life never more to see death or sorrow. Raising the dead fulfilled His mission as the Pattern Man as certainly as toiling as a carpenter hiding His divine mission, as walking on the waves, and as dying as sacrifice to lift the race to new and perfect life. In raising Lazarus He knew He must pay the ransom on the cross with deepest humiliation and mockery and taste death for every man. Though strong to save the world He wept at the grave at the thought He could not save everyone laid low by Satan, having given Himself a ransom for many, even all who would return to loyalty, God having given His Son as sacrifice for sin.
When Mary learned that Jesus had arrived and was asking for her, she stood up at once and hurried out to meet Him where He was waiting, while the mourners with her followed because they supposed she was going to weep at the grave. This eager going out to Him belongs to the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, the greatest and crowning miracle and the last crowning evidence given to the Jews. Jesus had held back from coming while Lazarus was ill, because disease is rebuked in His immediate presence and Lazarus's death was permitted so that the resurrection might take place. In calling a man dead four days from the tomb, He showed divine power over death and revealed Himself as Saviour and Lifegiver, health and strength in Himself. The act stands as convincing public proof of His divinity, His identity as the Son of God, and His Messiahship, and it led many to believe and glorify God.
Setting at Bethany
This verse belongs to the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, the greatest and crowning miracle of Christ and the last crowning evidence given to the Jews that Jesus is the Son of God. Lazarus was among the most steadfast of the disciples, strong in faith from the first meeting, deep in love, and greatly beloved by the Saviour. Though Christ blessed all who sought His help and loves all the human family, He was bound to the family at Bethany by peculiarly tender associations, His heart knit to them by a strong bond of affection, and for one of them His most wonderful work was wrought.
Bethany, at the house of Lazarus, was where Jesus often found rest, for He had no home of His own and depended on the hospitality of friends and disciples. Weary and thirsting for human fellowship, He was glad to escape there from the suspicion and jealousy of the angry Pharisees to a peaceful household of sincere welcome and pure, holy friendship, a quiet home with interested listeners. He longed for human tenderness, courtesy and affection, and those who received the heavenly instruction He was ready to impart were greatly blessed. There He could speak with simplicity and perfect freedom, knowing His words would be understood and treasured, opening to an appreciative audience the volume of Providence and unfolding in private what He did not tell the mixed multitude, needing no parables for friends. While the multitudes following through the open fields were slow of hearing, He found there rest from the weary conflict of public life.
Mary was an earnest listener to Jesus, and she and Martha trusted Him to do what was best although He did not come immediately when Lazarus was ill. He delayed by divine wisdom, for He is health and strength in Himself and disease is always rebuked in His immediate presence, so He could not witness suffering, disease or death without bringing relief and combatting the power of Satan. The death of Lazarus was permitted so that through his resurrection the crowning miracle might occur and many might believe and glorify God. As soon as she heard Martha's secret message that the Master had come and was calling for her, Mary rose hastily with an eager look, left the room quickly and went outside to where Jesus was waiting. The mourners followed because they thought she had gone to the grave to weep, and on reaching Him she knelt at His feet saying with quivering lips, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. In that account Jesus came to Mary and Martha after Lazarus's death, shared their grief, gave their buried brother back to them, and brought them unspeakable joy.
Power and Meaning
Lazarus had been dead four days, his body already seeing corruption, when Jesus broke the slumbers of the dead by calling him from the tomb. That calling forth shows divine power over death and reveals Christ as Saviour and Lifegiver, health and strength in Himself. It was demonstrated shortly before His entry into Jerusalem, together with the raising of the son of the widow of Nain and Jairus's daughter.
It stands as convincing public proof of His divinity and identity as the Son of God, of His authority and Messiahship. It revealed the Father to believers and unbelievers, with Lazarus's own life testifying to Christ. It led many to believe in Him and to glorify God. The raising points to His return, when the dead in Christ will rise to immortal life and be with the Lord.
Lazarus returned to life mortal, not clothed with immortality, and remained subject to death and decay. This is unlike those who came forth at Christ's own resurrection, who were raised to everlasting life never more to see death or sorrow. Raising the dead fulfilled His mission as the Pattern Man as certainly as toiling as a carpenter hiding His divine mission, as walking on the waves, and as dying as sacrifice to lift the race to new and perfect life. In raising Lazarus He knew He must pay the ransom on the cross with deepest humiliation and mockery and taste death for every man. Though strong to save the world He wept at the grave at the thought He could not save everyone laid low by Satan, having given Himself a ransom for many, even all who would return to loyalty, God having given His Son as sacrifice for sin.