Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.

John 11:32-35

When Mary comes to Jesus she says exactly the same thing that her sister Martha said but she says it in a completely different spirit. Both sisters were hurting and wanted help from Jesus but we find Mary, once again, going to the proper place to ask for help – at the feet of Jesus.

Martha believed many things about Jesus and what he could do, but her doubts kept coming to the surface and she could get little comfort for her grief. Mary, on the other hand, not only believed, she humbly submitted herself to Jesus in supplication and worship. The reaction of Jesus to this is strikingly different than it was to Martha.

Here we see Jesus immediately taking compassion on Mary. When we are troubled and take our cares to Jesus in humble obedience, He shows his love and understanding in much deeper ways.

Here we see Jesus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah and weeps with those that are weeping.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:

Isaiah 53:3a

Here we see Jesus as the High Priest that cares for us deeply and is able to help and deliver.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

Here we see what the writer of Hebrews meant by “coming boldly” to the throne of grace. This is not a demanding stature. It is a humble obedience. Mary came boldly by going to the feet of Jesus.

Let us always remember that Jesus is first the King of glory. He has called us friend but we should not assume that we are His equal. And yet while He is the transcendent King, He has opened the way for us to come directly to Him when we need His help.

And when we come, Jesus weeps with us, and shows the compassion of the Almighty.