Jesus' words to two different people in the same situation
An article by Gill Newham missionary to Mongolia

John 11.

I don’t always get it. These weak eyes of mine can’t always identify the work of God. Sometimes His works pass before me like blurred images reflected in an ancient unpolished mirror. But then there are moments when, with freeze-frame clarity, I do see. I see God in action, responding to me, responding to others and touching lives with a heavenly power that’s unique to each person.

With our array of unoriginal sins, challenges and heart-aches, God never pulls out a standard answer to put us in our place. Rather He speaks words tailored to catch our attention and draw us to Himself. Jesus’ two friends, Mary and Martha, remind me of this truth.

Mourning the death of their brother Lazarus, Martha hears that Jesus is returning to Bethany from Jerusalem and goes to meet Him. “Lord,” she said, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Jesus stands against the sorrow of Martha’s heart and gives her hope with gospel words that affirm He is the resurrection and the life.

Martha goes home and quietly tells Mary that Jesus wants to see her. Desolate, Mary rushes to Jesus and falling at feet said, “Lord, if you had been here. My brother would not have died.” Hearing Mary, Jesus doesn’t furnish her with a theological answer, or tell her that He’s the ultimate answer to death. Rather He sees her tears, hears her gasping wails, and grieves with her the horrors of death, the loss of love and life.

Mary and Martha were two sisters who said the same thing to Jesus but were, in fact, very different people. Mary was possibly the quieter and humbler of the two, while Martha appears more practical and outspoken. Knowing each of them, Jesus answered the questions of their hearts.

To Martha He was God; fully divine, speaking living words of hope. To Mary, He embodied the vulnerability of humanity. He responded to Mary’s need. He responded to Martha’s need. He is the only perfect counsellor, speaking the words each of us needs to hear. He is God and man. Absolutely human and yet absolutely God. Holding the tension between power with humility and gentleness without weakness. The perfect combination of deity and humanity, the perfection of God in a man.

But that’s not the end of the story. Jesus is far more than the perfect counsellor.

Lazarus did not remain dead in that tomb. Jesus called him out. But in calling Lazarus out, Jesus knew that He had to die. Death had to close itself around Him, so that He could call us to walk out of tangled lives with its idolised loves into the new life in the truth of His resurrection power.

Incredible! Look and see with clarity, how much He loves you and me.