8 WORDS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Having said this, she went back and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” (John 11:28)

It was the moment of their deepest grief. Mary and Martha had lost their brother. Adding to their grief and confusion was the fact that they had called for Jesus, knowing He could have healed Lazarus, but He had delayed His coming … and they didn’t understand. If He loved them all, how could He have let this happen?

Jesus, as always, knew exactly what He was about for God had ordained for this to be His Son’s greatest attesting miracle to date. Lazarus was about to be raised from the dead, but to be authentic, days needed to pass. Lazarus was four days in the grave when Jesus arrived. But, as they would soon see, His timing was precise.

Martha ran to Jesus when He approached their home, demanding answers. But Mary, unlike her, remained at home, perhaps overwhelmed with her grief. She heard from Martha, though, the words that change everything.

“THE TEACHER IS HERE”

In this statement is all that is needed, all that we could ever want. Jesus was present, and His presence brought hope and resurrection life. His presence was what Mary needed and what we always need. His presence is amazingly sufficient.

“AND IS CALLING FOR YOU”

Not only was He present, but He was also personally calling for Mary, inviting her to join Him. This invitation was simple and kind, gracious and intimate. He could have demanded, but He invited, which is exactly what He does for us, over and over again.

He is continually here and calling us by name in all kinds of moments … in times of grief and sadness, pressure and difficulty, confusion and doubt, fear and worry. Whatever the child of God faces, our Elder Brother is present and calling for us to draw near if we will quiet the noise and listen. He is here and He is not silent.

MARY GOT UP QUICKLY

Wisely, “Mary got up quickly and went out,” and “as soon as Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet” (Vs. 31-32). She brought her confusion to Him and saw Jesus’ heart as He wept with her, and then His power as He spoke three words and called her brother back to life. Her saddest day now became her gladdest day, all because Jesus pursued her and she discovered, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

I talked yesterday to a dear pastor-friend who has faced unimaginable loss in the last two years. My heart wept with him. But I am reminded this morning that what was true for Mary is true for him and for all of us. “There is no pit so deep,” as Betsey Ten Boom said, “but that God is deeper still.” And, where He is, resurrecting life is sure to follow.