Tag: Mary and Martha
Unusual wake-up call!
Scripture reading for May 20th: John 11:1-53
Death is something that we will all face, unless the Lord returns before we go through that experience. Death has swallowed nearly 100 percent of all human beings. The Bible records two in the Old Testament that did not see death: Enoch and Elijah. Several were raised from the dead in both the Old Testament and New Testament. One of the most notable is found in today’s reading in John Chapter 11: Lazarus!
Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus often stayed at their house in Bethany, just a short walk from Jerusalem. Lazarus became sick and the family sent for Jesus to come. Jesus purposely waited two days before traveling to see him. Jesus had escaped stoning in that area right before this and the disciples were concerned about returning. Jesus told them that Lazarus had fallen asleep and that He was going to wake him up. The disciples did not understand that Lazarus had died so Jesus told them plainly. He would raise him up so that they would believe! (John 11:11-14)
When Jesus and the disciples arrived in Bethany, they found that Lazarus had been dead for four days. Mary and Martha and the community were grieving. Both Mary and Martha told Jesus that they knew that if He had been there, their brother would not have died. Jesus saw their grief and was deeply moved with compassion and troubled in His spirit. (John 11:33) Jesus began to weep Himself. Comments were made by many of the mourners concerning Jesus’ show of emotion. “See how He loved him!” and “Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”(John 11:36-37)
As Jesus, deeply moved, came to the tomb, He commanded the stone be taken away from the entrance. Martha was concerned that there would be a bad odor from the decaying body. Jesus spoke: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40) Jesus thanked the Father for hearing His petition, and then called out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43) Lazarus appeared, wrapped in grave clothes and strips of linen! What a sight to behold and what joy for those grieving! Jesus held power over death and still does! Be sure your name is in the Book of Life for a “wake-up” call!
Broken and poured out!
Scripture reading for March 8th: Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32
“While He (Jesus) was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.” (Mark 14:3)
This very unusual incident was recorded by Mark and marked another woman who served Jesus and was especially noted by Him. This woman’s name was Mary, and she was probably the sister of Martha. (John 12:1-3) She was known to have taken time to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him while her sister Martha served Jesus. Martha was rather upset with her for this, but Jesus noted that she had chosen what was better! (Luke 10:38-42)
Mary came to the dinner where Jesus was the guest of honor and reclining at table. He was the guest of Simon the Leper. We are not sure if Jesus had healed this man earlier, but he must have been clean for them to be with him for a meal. Jesus loved to be around sinners and those who were considered outcasts by the religious people. Mary came with a box or jar of expensive perfume, worth about a year’s wages. She broke the container and poured it’s expensive contents on Jesus’ head and even His feet. This was an act of extravagant love and prophetic worship.
Jesus, Himself, was preparing to be broken and poured out for the sins of the world. He was in Jerusalem for Passover week as the final sacrifice. He was being examined in the temple every day by the Pharisees and teachers of the law. They were plotting to have Him killed. Jesus said that this costly anointing was to prepare Him for His burial. (Mark 14:6-9) His blood would be a costly sacrifice that would atone for sin. His prayer for our forgiveness from the cross would be a fragrant incense to the Father of His complete obedience. His act of giving Himself would be an act of extravagant love for us and prophetic worship, enabling all to enjoy forgiveness of sins. As he was anointed in the home of Simon the leper, His sacrifice took place in this world to deliver us from the leprosy of sin! Take time and worship Him today with a thankful heart!
“Lazarus, come out!”
Scripture reading for November 1st: John 9-12
My son Marshal and I visited Bethany as a part of our Bible history and geography study trip. At Bethany, we visited a place that was a probably similar to the tomb that Lazarus was laid in. Marshal and I went down a narrow passageway carved out of the rock and entered the musty cave where there were some niches carved in the wall as places to lay the bodies. The tomb was illuminated by an electric light. After reading the Scriptures, I left first and took my camera and called out, “Marshal, come out!” I got a great picture and a real visual of what that might have looked like to those gathered around that tomb with Jesus!
Jesus often stayed at Lazarus’ home in Bethany, less than two miles from the temple in Jerusalem. (John 11:18) Lazarus had two sisters, Mary and Martha, who also loved Jesus and their brother. They had sent word to Jesus that their brother was deathly sick, but Jesus purposely delayed coming. (John 11:3-6) When Jesus arrived, Lazarus was already dead and entombed for four days. Martha came to meet Jesus and told Him that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. She also made another key statement, “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:22)
Jesus gave her a Word of knowledge: “Your brother will rise again.” (John 11:23) Martha’s understanding of the resurrection had come from studying the Old Testament Scriptures. (Possibly Daniel 12:1-3, 13) Jesus spoke again to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) This time Martha confessed that she believed that Jesus was the Christ, Son of God!
Jesus went to the tomb and as He stood there, He wept! (John 11:35) The Author of Life was weeping over Lazarus swallowed by the grave and death! He was the “resurrection and life” and was about to demonstrate the power of faith. Jesus was deeply moved a second time and ordered the stone taken away. Martha protested, but Jesus reassured her faith! He is the Author and Finisher of our faith and helps us when our faith falters! (John 11:40) Jesus spoke, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus came out, grave clothes and all!