After raising Lazarus from the dead Jesus left Bethany (because the chief priests and Pharisees sought to kill Him) and went into the countryside of Ephraim, about 15-20 miles north. But now He returns, a week before the Passover, (the one in which He will allow them to kill Him).
They’re between resurrections—that of Lazarus and Jesus.
So are we—that of Jesus and ours.
Bethany is near Jerusalem, just to the east; with the Mount of Olives between them.
2 There they made Him a supper;
There, they gathered together to have a meal. Jesus was the Guest of Honor. A thank You celebration for Lazarus’s resurrection, from death.
Here, we’ve gathered to have a meal. Jesus is the Guest of Honor. A thank You celebration for our resurrection, from death.
Next, we’re introduced to the participants of the party.
It’s a short scene but still we see a miniature picture of the Church, and world, today.
Which one are you?
and Martha served,
Martha is doing what Martha does—serving. We see her three times in the gospels. (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-44; 12:2). Each time she’s actively serving Jesus.
1) Luke 10:38-42. Serving and talking to Jesus. Sure, she complained about wanting help. She’s human, tired, stressed—not wicked. She wasn’t working to get noticed; she was working to get things done. Big difference.
2) John 11:20-22. First to greet Jesus after Lazarus had died. Bold Faith (John 11:22) Even now, I know, whatever You ask, will be done.
3) John 12:2. Still serving Jesus. No complaints. Quiet, behind the scene.
These are the last words we read about Martha.
Martha served.
But what glorious words. What a powerful testimony. Maybe that’s what was written on her tombstone.
Matthew 20:26; Whoever wants to be great among you must be servant of all.
Martha prepared the dinner that gave occasion for Mary and others to sit at Jesus' feet.
Behind the scenes, in advance, she planned and prepared; gathered ingredients and mixed them just right. She cleaned and arranged tables and chairs and placed the settings just right.
She was serving early before anyone got there; she served late after all had gone—she served when no one, but God, was looking.
Jesus made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:7
When speaking of Spiritual Gifts, in Romans 12:7 and the Five-Fold Ministry, in Ephesians 4:11-12, the word ministry is used in English; however, in the original text the Greek word, diakonia is used and it means: service.
To be a minister, one must be first and foremost, and always, a servant.
Martha Represents The Servant God Uses To Build His Church
but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.
Lazarus. Only mentioned in John chapters 11-12.
The dead guy, who now lives, the brother of Martha and Mary, the friend of Jesus.
Many believe in Jesus because of him.
The chief priests want him dead.
He may be a mime. Because of all that’s written about him, we never see, or hear, or read, a single word he said.
His silent witness speaks volumes.
You know him when you meet him (or her).
He’s the one who doesn’t talk about it, just does it.
His word is his bond.
He always shows up.
If he’s late, it’s because he helped someone along the way.
He may not be able to quote chapter and verse, but he sure knows how to show it by those calloused hands, and bent knees.
The body and bride and family of Christ
Lazarus Represents the Salt of the Earth, the Silent Pillars of the Church
3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.
If Mary was in charge of supper, they might be eating peanut butter sandwiches on paper napkins— (if somebody brought some peanut butter, and bread, and napkins).
But, if they want to focus on Jesus, bow before Him, and worship—Mary’s your gal.
We only see Mary three times. Each time she’s at the feet of Jesus. Luke 10:38-42, John 11:32, John 12:1–8. Each time someone gets irritated.
The first time was when her sister Martha got irritated because she wasn’t helping serve. (Martha, was yet to learn that Mary didn’t speak her love language).
The second time, Jesus got irritated. (Lazarus Come Forth).
This time, neither Martha nor Jesus got irritated, but judas did.
Mary humbly and intimately worshiped Jesus with an extravagant love that Jesus accepted, defended, and did something similar, in just a matter of days.
Worship is intimate. Loose hair in public was a sign of a loose woman. They only let down their hair in an intimate, private setting, at home with husband, and family.
Worship is to an audience of One.
Not a performance. She wasn’t singing. But she was definitely worshiping.
Worship is sacrifice. Costs something. Bible HIStory shows sacrifices made in acts of worship. 2 Samuel 24:24, David said, I will not offer to the LORD that which cost me nothing.
Worship fills the atmosphere. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. An attitude of worship, no matter where, changes the atmosphere. Peace settles. Burdens lift. Darkness flees.
Worship is clothed in humility. John 13:1-17, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet.
Mary Represents Worship.
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.
This time it was Judas who got irritated with Mary.
The LORD inhabits the praises of His people (Ps. 22:3). Thus, true worship will irritate prideful, religious, devilish spirits.
Judas had all three. He was a thief, a betrayer, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Judas is what gives the Church a bad name; he says the right words, but his heart is corrupt, greedy, selfish.
The value of Mary’s worship is beyond him; all he sees is money that could’ve been poured in his pocket, being wasted on Jesus’ feet.
People like Judas use the poor as talking points to profit and power. Every communist dictator has used ploys for the poor to gain control. American politicians have done the same. They wax eloquent in speeches about the poor, only to fill their luxury liners with booze, and their streets with the homeless.
Judas was a master of deception. Like the devil. The other disciples didn’t have a clue that he was so wicked.
But Jesus wasn’t fooled.
“Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” (John 6:70).
“As soon as Judas took the bread [that Jesus had given him], Satan entered into him” (John 13:27).
Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord with a kiss, Luke 22:47–48)
Psalm 41:9, “Even My close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared My bread, has turned against Me” (John 13:18).
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24)
7 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. 8 For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”
Jesus shut down Judas and defended Mary’s worship.
Social projects, like giving to the poor, or other good causes, should always point to Jesus; they should enhance, not detract, from worship. We must never confuse a good cause with a Godly one.
Mary had a specific Divine Appointment. Jesus was headed to the cross, and the tomb, and Mary’s worship was preparation and Divine Providence.
Judas Represents a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing; who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
9 Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
The strength of family, the power of prayer, and the battles that rage against them.
Family, God’s family.
Martha’s service.
Lazarus’s salt.
Mary’s worship.
All working together, drawing a great many; those the Lord is calling, wooing, prompting, to come Home.
In closing the preacher asked the farmer to pray.
The farmer stood, bowed his head, and proceeded to say. “Lord, I hate buttermilk…”
The folks wondered if they’d heard him right.
“And You know, I really don’t like lard.”
The preacher’s eyes popped open and so did his mouth. He wanted to say something but he didn’t know what.
“White flour–” the farmer continued– “I don’t care much for that either.”
Now every eye, except the farmer's, was open.
“But Lord, when you mix all that together, I really love them biscuits. Thank You. Amen.”
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:16.
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