He Notices

There are so many powerful statements in John’s account of the death and resurrection of Lazarus. “I am the Resurrection and Life” (John 11:25) Or the call to four-day dead Lazarus, “Come forth! (verse 43).

But one that is fascinating is not actually recorded; it is simply implied. After arriving in Bethany and Jesus’ initial conversation with Martha, John tells us in verse 28, “Then she [Martha] returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, ‘The Teacher is here and wants to see you.’” I’m not sure why Mary was not there. Perhaps she was too disappointed and discouraged to go meet Jesus.

I’ve been there, haven’t you? My disappointment was so great I didn’t want to pray. I was so discouraged I didn’t want to talk to anyone. Whatever her reason, Mary was not there.

In those moments, here’s the great hope. Jesus noticed! As He declares Himself the Source of all life, He notices Mary is not there. Whatever words He used, He told Martha to go tell Mary that He wanted to see her.

Even when we withdraw in moments of doubt and discouragement…He notices. Even when our disappointment is so deep we think no one cares…He notices. And He says the same thing to us, “I want to see you.”

Duke Stone
After 40 years in full-time ministry, I try to see how the little things in life speak big things about God. This blog is an attempt to share with you the many ways I see the love of God in the ordinary things of life.