Martha was mixed-up in her mind and heart. The death of her brother, Lazarus, was a profound shock: so too was Jesus' apparent lack of interest, until He arrived four days after the funeral. Nevertheless she had been willing for Jesus to teach her about His power to raise the dead (John 11:21-27). She said she believed that Jesus had the power to raise the dead. When they arrived at the tomb (a cave cut out of the rock and sealed by a heavy stone) Jesus was visibly emotional.

Raising Lazarus from the dead was a remarkable miracle. Jesus wanted the community in Bethany to believe in Him (John 11:41-42) and many of them did. Those who had come to sympathise with Mary's bereavement now shared Mary's joy. Mary and Martha had their brother back home alive and well. Emotionally, they were happy; financially, they were now secure because their breadwinner was able to work; and spiritually, they were satisfied because they had God's power at work in their family.

Everybody knew that Jesus would be arrested sooner or later. The Council had agreed that He should die, and although they did not know how to achieve their objective legally, the momentum of hatred against Jesus was unstoppable. Now the leaders involved the ordinary people: they had to report His location. So Jesus moved out of the village of Bethany, close to Jerusalem, to a little village two or three days journey north, on the edge of the Judean wilderness. It would not be easy for the temple guards to search for Him there.

The fragrance of Mary's perfume had filled the house. Emptying half a litre of expensive fragrant oil over Jesus' feet, she was saying 'thank you' for raising her brother from the dead after four days in the tomb. She was pouring out her worship to the Life-Giver. Jesus said that her act of worship was also prophetic.