Mary in Bethany

The Sisters of Lazarus

John 11

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.

Worship and submission: In ancient Jewish culture, falling at someone's feet was a sign of the highest respect and a public acknowledgment of their authority. Mary's posture signalled her complete submission to Jesus' will and her recognition of Him as a divine figure.

Deep grief and despair: The physical collapse of falling at someone's feet is a natural bodily response to overwhelming sorrow, embodying both anguish and hope.

Faith and expectation: Despite her grief, Mary immediately went to Jesus rather than the tomb, demonstrating her trust that He could provide comfort and intervention. Her act showed a secure faith and an expectation that Jesus was the one who could help.

Prophetic act: Some interpretations view her act as prophetic, similar to how Old Testament prophets anointed kings. It was an act of faith where she was expecting Jesus to perform a great act of deliverance, a precursor to His ultimate victory over death on the cross.

Honoring Jesus as God: Her act was a form of worship that gave Jesus the same honor reserved for God, a testament to her belief that He was the promised Messiah and had authority over life and death. 

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