30 Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
I think it’s cool that Jesus remains steady in the place of His last encounter. It reminds me that when I experience a distance from our Lord it is not He that has moved, rather me. He is the very constant One – remaining continuously the same. His love is always deep, abiding, tender and constant – He changes not and His compassions fail not – He is forever faithful, even when He remains seemingly silent.
8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Heb 13:8 (NIV)
In David’s Messianic Psalm 22 we see displayed both the silence and the salvation. At this point in our story, certainly Mary and Martha could have related to David’s verse two unbeknownst that verse 24 was on its way:
2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Psalms 22:2 (NIV)
24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Psalms 22:24 (NIV)
In our verses for today we see Jesus awaiting Mary’s arrival for a one on One with her as well. Our Lord was never in a hurry – His timing always perfect - He therefore waits for the fullness of time to arrive. Jesus was merely continuing to set the stage for the miraculous to occur. Enter Mary on the scene followed by all those who had come to mourn with her. We had discovered earlier in the chapter that many had come to comfort the sisters, kindly feeling for them in their heavy bereavement. They were there for others, comforting them in their hour of need. This kindness shown to these sisters was about to be richly rewarded by our Savior:
18 Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. John 11:18-19 (NIV)
It is interesting to note that to show loving kindness and sympathy to those who are sorrowing in spirit is advantageous for our own souls as well. While Scripture commands us to “mourn with those who mourn” – comforting the downtrodden - in all actuality, this action strengthens our own hearts and spirits. Some of the sourest and unhappy people we know are those who choose to live for self only. Rest assured - we certainly cannot out give God. What we willingly do in His Name and for His glory He so abundantly blesses, it leaves us only to question why we are not constantly about doing His bidding. In our verses for today, these friends of Mary and Martha were about to see this wonderful promise verified – unexpectedly becoming eye witnesses of a stupendous miracle. I am reminded of God’s Word penned by Luke:
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Paul stretches our thoughts on this subject as well:
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Gal 6:7-10 (NIV)
Our God is the God of all comfort and hope – filling us with joy and peace as we rest in Him. We in turn, as followers of our Lord Jesus are to pour out that comfort and hope to those in our spheres. We serve a needy world. Heartache and disappointment abound, not to mention loneliness and a vast array of all sorts of ills and needs. As God gives us opportunities to minister His grace to others, we are the ultimate losers if we forgo them.
“The life I touch for good or ill will touch another life, and that in turn another, until who knows where the trembling stops or in what far place my touch will be felt.” Frederick Buechner
"Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received -- only what you have given: a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage." St. Francis of Assisi
“Encouragement costs you nothing to give, but it is priceless to receive.” Anonymous
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Cor 1:3-4 (NIV)