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John 11:28 (BSB)
After Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”
THE HOLY BIBLE
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Scripture quotations (main text) are from the Berean Study Bible (BSB), © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), ©2001 by Crossway, is used for comparison and word study only.
Bible Copyright & Permissions“After Martha had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside to tell her, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”” — John 11:28
Imagine this moment: Martha has just shared something deeply personal with her sister Mary. She’s excited, maybe a little nervous, and she whispers to Mary that the Teacher—Jesus—is here and wants to see her. This isn't just a casual invite; it’s a call filled with hope and urgency. You can feel the electricity in the air! Martha knows that Jesus holds something powerful, and she wants her sister to experience it too. It’s a moment that’s all about connection and the anticipation of something amazing.
This book was written by John, one of Jesus’ closest friends. He wanted to share not just the events but the feelings and the relationships that surrounded them. By including this detail about Martha calling Mary, John is showing us the deep bonds of friendship and family, and how critical it is to come together in times of need. John’s perspective is personal; he was there, feeling the tension, the hope, and the heartbreak, and he wants you to feel that too.
This was all happening around A.D. 90, in a time when people were grappling with faith and loss. The world was buzzing with stories about Jesus, who had just left a profound impact on so many lives. This moment in Bethany reflects a culture where community and family were everything. People leaned on each other during tough times, and the urgency of Martha's message to Mary captures that spirit perfectly. It’s a vivid backdrop of love, grief, and hope that resonates with us even today.
This verse matters deeply for you today because it highlights the importance of reaching out to loved ones when life gets heavy. Just like Martha called Mary, you might feel nudged to connect with someone who needs encouragement or hope. It reminds you that you don’t have to face your struggles alone; there’s power in sharing your journey with others, especially when you know that something greater is waiting for you. It’s about being there for each other and lifting each other up.
This week, think about someone in your life who might need a little boost. Reach out to them—send a text, make a call, or even invite them to hang out. Share what’s on your heart and encourage them to seek hope, just like Martha did for Mary. Maybe there’s something you’ve been holding back from sharing; don’t wait! Take that step and see how it can transform your connection.
To understand why this moment is so charged, let’s zoom out a bit. Just before this, Jesus had come to Bethany after hearing that their brother Lazarus was sick. Martha had already expressed her faith in Jesus, but she’s struggling with the grief of losing her brother. This moment is pivotal because Martha is now taking action! She’s not just sitting in her sadness; she’s reaching out to Mary, encouraging her to come and meet Jesus. What happens next is incredible—Mary rushes to Jesus, and the atmosphere is thick with expectation as they all grapple with loss and hope. It sets the stage for one of the most powerful miracles in the Bible.
What does it mean for you to be a ‘caller’ in someone else’s life, like Martha was for Mary? How can you encourage someone to seek out hope or support this week?
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