“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.” John 11:32 NIV
For the past two months, I’ve been reading a devotion on the Book of John, and yesterday I got the chance to meditate on the story of Lazarus. Martha and Mary sent a message to Jesus that Lazarus was sick; however, Jesus decided to stay in his present location for two more days instead of leaving immediately. As Jesus arrives at Bethany, where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus live, many people inform Him that Lazarus has died.
Now with all the miracles Jesus performed, raising Lazarus from the dead would not be a challenging task. Jesus, all-knowing, informed the disciples that Lazarus was dead, but he would be raised from his sleep (John 11:14 NIV). Therefore in reading these verses, I was prepared to hear how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. However, what illuminated from the scripture was a gesture that I needed to take to heart. A characteristic of God that beckons His presence, His provision, and His miraculous power.
God drew my attention to Mary falling at the feet of Jesus. In Mary’s anguish, hurt, and discouragement, she still fell at the feet of Jesus when she saw Him.
Mary, who loved and followed Jesus!
Mary, who poured perfume on Jesus’ feet and wiped it with her hair! John 12:3 NIV
Mary, who believed that Jesus could heal her brother from any sickness! John 11:3 NIV
Mary, who dropped everything to sit at the feet of Jesus listening to Him teach while Martha was busy doing other chores! Luke 10:39–40 NIV
When you are in pain, discouraged, stressed, or anguished, do you fall at the feet of Jesus Christ?
When your back is up against the wall with various trials and storms, do you fall at the feet of Jesus Christ?
When you don’t know where to turn or go, do you fall at the feet of Jesus Christ?
When your skills, abilities, and talents don’t produce favorable outcomes, do you fall at the feet of Jesus Christ?
As I read Lazarus’ story, God revealed that He desires His children to fall at the feet of Jesus in times of clarity or confusion, success or failure, test or trial, righteousness or sin.
Even in a pandemic as we see lives and jobs lost, uncertainty, isolation, and separation, our help and hope is in the Lord. So, as you go about your day, remember to fall at the feet of Jesus because He cares for you.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
Scripture tells us when Mary, crying, fell at the feet of Jesus, He not only felt her pain but also acted on it. He performed a miracle that no human could do. He resurrected Lazarus from the dead, and He can do the same for you! Whatever your circumstance, God can resurrect it! When you fall at the feet of Jesus in a submission posture, you give up the human effort for supernatural resurrection power.
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
In the Mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen ~