Mary and her sister, Martha, sat quietly in the company of some women in their home when someone entered and whispered in Martha’s ear. Her face lit up and she rushed outside.
This was the fourth day of mourning their brother’s death and Mary was too exhausted to run after her sister. The house seemed so morbidly cold after the death of Lazarus.
A little while later Martha came storming back into the house. “Mary, Mary, the Teacher has come and He is asking for you!”
Immediately she jumped to her feet and ran to the place where Martha said she would find Him. With her heart pounding with joy and excitement, she fell down at His feet but the only thing she could say, was, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
For the first time the disciples saw Jesus, the Man of God, the Man of joy and hope, with tears running down His face.
Jesus knew Lazarus was ill. He also knew that he had been dead for four days and that He would bring Lazarus back to life again. He also knew how much this family loved Him but this was a very emotional moment, experiencing the pain Mary felt whilst openly demonstrating her sincere love for Him. Immediately He went to the grave and called Lazarus back to life.
This family of two sisters and one brother loved Jesus very much. Martha was the organiser, running the household. Lazarus was the provider. Mary was… well, she only wanted to fall down at Jesus’ feet every time she met Him. (Luke 10:39, John 11:32)
A few days later, Jesus and His disciples visited them once more, and again Martha was serving while Mary sat at His feet. This time she anointed His feet with her best fragrant oil while wiping them with her long beautiful hair. (John 12:3)
The love that Mary felt towards Jesus was so overpowering she could not stand nor sit down in His presence. She could only kneel at His feet, anointing and wiping them with her hair, soaking up His presence.
In my spiritual mind, I picture Jesus standing in our marketplace, holding in His hands the wisdom we need to face the day. Every morning thousands upon thousands storm to Him to receive what they need. He anxiously longs to have fellowship with us… but we, being too busy to waste one second, run past Him to our tasks for the day.
As He watches us running off, tears are welling up in His eyes. Oh how He longs for someone like Mary to fall down at His feet, not because He is needed but because He is loved. How He longs to hold and cuddle us while running His fingers through our hair. If only we could take a moment of our day to sit at His feet!