July 26, 2013
John 12:1-3
(All scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated.)
There are Three Ways We Relate To Jesus, and unless all three ways are manifest in our Christian lives, then our faith – as we live it out – is not complete. All Three Ways are shown in the compact scripture of John 12:1 through 3:
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus
was who had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they made
Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at
the table with Him. 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.
The first verse gives the setting: it is in the home of Lazarus, Martha and Mary in Bethany, a town less than three miles southeast of Jerusalem. These three adult siblings, apparently all unmarried and somewhat wealthy, lived together in a large house in this small town. Jesus and His disciples were welcome guests there, and there are at least three times recorded in the Gospels that Jesus was at their home (Luke 10:38-42, John 11:18-45 and John 12:1-8).
Taken in order, Martha, Lazarus and Mary show forth the Three Ways We Relate To Jesus.
• John 12:2 – “…they made Him a supper; and Martha served….” Serving the Lord
must be part of our Christian lives. Paul gives us the idea of what serving the Lord
means in Colossians 3:22 through 24 (NIV):
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their
eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence
for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance
from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Service to Jesus is more than being a minister, missionary or Christian teacher.
You can serve the Lord – and you should be – in everything you do! Paul says,
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for
men….” Whatever you do!……can be done as if you are doing it for the Lord Jesus
Christ! Of course, this eliminates sinful actions.
Martha was simply serving dinner, but her guest of honor was her Creator, Redeemer,
and Lord!
• John 12:2 – “… Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.” Lazarus
was not serving, he was fellowshiping with Jesus! He was sitting down with a
good Friend and enjoying His company! Sometimes we miss that concept in our
Christian lives. – just spending time with the Lord.
Do we realize that Jesus wants to spend time with us – just to be with us? In John
15:13 through15 He says:
Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call
you servants; for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have
called you friends, for all things I have heard from my Father I have made
known to you.
The Lord wants to be with us so He can share what is on His heart. And we can
interact with Him, asking Him to clarify what He means, or giving our thoughts and
comments on the subject. That’s two friends fellowshiping together!
• John 12:3 – “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.” This is worship – bowing before our Lord and offering
Him our best! In worship we are telling Him – in this case by actions, not words –
how great and marvelous He is!
It was Mary’s worship that affected the whole house the most, because it
“… filled…the house… with the fragrance of the oil.” Do you want to fill the
whole place where you are with the sweet aroma of a precious offering? Then
worship the Lord Jesus Christ!
As said before, all Three Ways We Relate To Jesus must be manifested in our lives if we are to live a balanced Christian life. Make sure your life contains all three!