This post is Day 20 in a series of studies about “Mary’s of the Bible”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Mary’s of the Bible – Day 20

Mary knew in her heart of hearts that Jesus had come straight from God. But she did not see that He could reverse the death of her brother, and bring him back to life. She was in for the biggest and best surprise of her life up to that time!

John 11:32

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

The Thought

Mary made this statement in absolute confidence that Jesus could have changed this situation, and could have healed her brother. She didn’t know that Father God had an even better plan!

If you read the verses from this chapter of John’s gospel as recommended yesterday, you will have noticed Jesus’ famous statement that He is The Resurrection and The Life (v25). Mary believed that! She knew in her heart of hearts that Jesus was straight from God. But she didn’t see that He could reverse her brother’s death, and bring him back to life. She was in for the biggest and best surprise of her life up to that time! Maybe the even bigger surprise would be when Jesus Himself was raised from the dead some time later.

Martha was very reluctant to open the grave because of the bad odour (v39), but she was learning fast that Jesus knows best! What followed was beyond what anyone was asking for.

Action

Think today about some of the extreme things you might have prayed for or have talked yourself out of praying for, because you thought they were crazy, or that God had enough to do!! How would life have been different if God had answered those unspoken prayers?

Read to the end of the chapter and imagine the situation.

What might the “grave clothes” mean for you personally? Many people are wearing spiritual “grave clothes” today because they are unknowingly grieving for someone or something that they have lost. Ask Jesus to reveal to you if there is something in your past that needs to be removed, something you are grieving over unknowingly.

Praise Him that He is never too late.

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