JESUS IN THE HOUSE

JESUS IN THE HOUSE!

John 12:1-3

12 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

           Jesus often resorted to Bethany where He enjoyed the hospitality of His friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary. As I read this story, I imagine Martha as the elder of the three. She was certainly the house boss and her gift was serving.

           I think all three hosts acted in a manner befitting their gifts, personalities, and circumstance. Martha served! She was a fastidious manager of the home and such a guest as Jesus required that she do her very best. Mary was, I think, wispy and emotional. Her natural inclination would be to simply enjoy and provide companionship. Lazarus, the man of the house, had been sick. In fact, Lazarus had been dead – four days dead. Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus. There is no record of anything Lazarus said.

           We have company coming too! Our daughter and granddaughters are expected tomorrow and they will spend Easter with us. Irene is the home manager and has been exhausting herself with preparations. There is a ham in the fridge which will become the centerpiece of the noon meal. Hannah wants to bake – egg shaped cookies. We will surely color eggs. We will welcome them into a house clean and prefect but it won’t be long before the house will look “lived in.” It will be like Christmas minus the tree.

           Whether we serve, sit, or spend lavishly, when Jesus is in the house it is a special time. He stands at the door knocking, this morning. Let him in!

Dear Lord, come on in and make yourself at home. Let me sit at your feet and worship. AMEN