Martha was mixed-up in her mind and heart, as most people are when their loved ones die.  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, Martha 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.  Then came the test of her faith as they moved toward the tomb.

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.  Their doubts had gone and they gave praise to God.
 

Everybody knew that Jesus would be arrested sooner or later.  The Council had agreed with the High Priest that Jesus should die (John 11:49-53), and although they did not know how to achieve their objective legally, the momentum of hatred against Jesus was unstoppable.  Then the leaders involved the ordinary people: they had to report His location so that He could be arrested.  

The fragrance of Mary's perfume had filled the house (John 12:1-3).  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 (John 11:38-44).  She was pouring out her worship to the Life-Giver.  Jesus said that her act of worship was also prophetic.  It pointed forward to the day when He would be in the tomb and although women would come on the third day after His death with spices to anoint His body, they would find the tomb empty (Luke 24:1-8).  There would be no opportunity to express t