FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS!

FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS!

Luke 10:38-39 KJV

38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

John 11:1-5 KJV

11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

2(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

          Most often we focus on Mary’s grateful anointing of Jesus feet. It was an extraordinary act of gratitude and humility. At other times we may focus on Martha’s tedious and tetchy toil in cooking and cleaning. Still at other times we focus on Lazarus who died but today I want to draw your attention to a simple fact. These were friends with Jesus the Son of God.

Rev 19:11-13 KJV

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

          When John saw Jesus he “fell at his feet as dead!” How were Mary, Martha and Lazarus able to enjoy him as a house guest without all the royal roar? Jesus had become family. Each was comfortable with the other. Martha felt at ease enough to complain to her guest that he was taking her sister away from the household duties. A hostess would never do this but a friend might. Mary felt disarmed enough to sit in the floor listening to Jesus. It was a warm and open relationship. Isn’t that what you want in your relationship with Jesus?

          When even close friends come to call suddenly we vacuum the area we will allow them to enter and we shut the door on the areas we would be embarrassed to have them see. Mary, Martha and Lazarus had no closed doors. There was no need for Jesus to announce ahead of time before dropping in for a visit. When Jesus came it was not the arrival of a guest but the homecoming of a member of the family. That was the difference.

          Today we may very well see Jesus with “eyes as a flame of fire,” gloriously crowned and sitting on a throne. However, let us open all the doors to our life and let Jesus in. Welcome Him as you would a family member coming for a holiday visit. Experience the joy of His arrival and the contentment of His presence. Make Him welcome anywhere in the house. This is friendship with Jesus.

Dear Jesus, in the end you called your disciples friends. Let me enjoy your tender friendship today. AMEN