Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

GOLDEN TEXT: “She [Martha] saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” —John 11:27

LUKE 10:38-42

WE are introduced to the little family of Bethany, consisting of Lazarus and his two sisters, Martha and Mary, on the occasion of Jesus’ visit to them, when Martha complained because Mary did not help her with the preparation of a meal rather then sit at Jesus’ feet. Lazarus, their brother, is brought to our attention later when he became ill and died. It appears that all three in this family believed on Jesus, accepting him as the Son of God, and as the foretold Messiah.

In the account of Jesus’ visit in the home of this family are the different temperaments of the two sisters revealed. Mary loved the Master, and spent all the time she could in listening to the gracious words which he uttered. Martha loved him just as much, but sought to express her devotion by making ample provision for his physical needs and comfort.

JOHN 11:20-27

WHEN Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, became seriously ill, they sent word to Jesus, hoping, no doubt, that he would at once come to their home and restore health to their brother as he had done for so many others. But Jesus waited for two days, and then said to his disciples, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” Perceiving that his disciples did not understand what he meant, Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.”—John 11:1-14

In this narrative one of the great truths of the Bible is emphasized, which is that the Lord looks upon the dead as though they were asleep. Those who are asleep are unconscious. So are the dead. Those who are asleep in death will awake, God having promised to restore the dead to life. Jesus said of Lazarus, “I go, that I may awake him out of sleep,” and he did just this, as an illustration of the manner in which divine power is to be exercised on behalf of the entire dead world of mankind.

Returning to Bethany, as Jesus approached the home of Martha and Mary, Martha went out to meet him. She said to Jesus, “If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Jesus replied, saying, “Thy brother shall rise again,” and Martha answered, “I know that he shall arise again in the resurrection at the last day”

Here Martha reveals her knowledge of the great truth of the resurrection set forth in the Bible, a great boon that was coming to mankind in “the last day.” This is not the last day of time, but the final age in God’s great plan of salvation. Beyond this “last day” in the plan of salvation there will be an eternity of happiness for the restored world of mankind.

When Martha expressed her belief in the resurrection, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth on me even though he die shall live again! And no one who liveth again and believeth on me shall in anywise die unto times age-abiding. Believest thou this?” (vss. 25,26, Rotherham) Martha replied, “Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.”—vs. 27

In Martha’s affirmation of belief she revealed her reason for her faith in Jesus; namely, that he was the Son of God, and the promised Messiah. She understood, and correctly, that the Messiah was that promised “Seed” of Abraham who would bless all the families of the earth. (Gen. 12:3; 22:18) She believed that through the Messiah death would be destroyed, and that all the prisoners of death would be released. She believed that following their awakening from the sleep of death they would be given an opportunity to believe, obey the laws of the kingdom, and live forever.

JOHN 12:1-3

JESUS had said to his disciples that he would go to Bethany and awaken Lazarus from the sleep of death. And he did just this. Standing before the tomb, “he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth.” (ch. 11:43) Six days later he returned to Bethany, and Martha and Mary made a feast for him, Lazarus being present. He was no longer dead having been awakened from death; he was no phantom, but the same human Lazarus as before.

QUESTIONS

Explain the circumstances under which we are introduced to Martha and Mary.

Explain what is implied by Jesus’ reference to Lazarus as being asleep, and of awakening him from sleep.

When will the general resurrection take place, and why did Martha associate this great feature of the divine plan with her belief that Jesus was the Messiah?

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