28 And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” 29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him.
11:28
And when she had said these things,
The reference to “she” here is Martha. She had just made a strong assertion about who Jesus was (Jn 11:27).
she went her way
Martha left Jesus’ presence to carry His message to Mary.
and secretly called Mary her sister, saying,
Martha called Mary “secretly” because Jesus wanted to talk with Mary in private. There was a need for privacy because there were many professional mourners in the house.
“The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”
Rabbis refused to instruct women, but Jesus was not biased toward women. The definite article “the” indicates that Jesus was incomparable as a “Teacher.”
11:29
As soon as she heard that,
As soon as Mary heard from Martha that Jesus wanted to talk to her, she left the house to see Jesus.
she arose quickly and came to Him.
Mary went to Jesus quickly, without delay, showing something of her eagerness to see her Lord.
11:30
Now Jesus had not yet come into the town,
Jesus was still on the outskirts of Bethany.
but was in the place where Martha met Him.
Jesus was still in the location where Martha had conversation with Him. He wanted a private conversation with Mary because of the many mourners in the house with her.
PRINCIPLE:
True disciples respond to Jesus from love.
APPLICATION:
It must have been something for Mary to hear that the Messiah, the Savior of the world, had asked her to come to Him. Do we anticipate seeing Him personally one day? Mary’s quick desire to see Jesus indicates her love for Him. How much do we love the Lord?
