12 Days And Counting

He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.

Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death. - Gregory of Nazianzus, A.D. 381.

At the close of chapter 11 things looked pretty bad, we saw the dishonor done to our Lord Christ Jesus, when the scribes and Pharisees proclaimed Him a traitor. They had heaped all the disgrace they could upon Him. As if that was not enough the religious leaders put out an all points bulletin for Christ Jesus' arrest.

Now at the start of chapter 12 it is just six day before the Passover and Christ Jesus had come to Bethany where His friends Lazarus, Martha, and Mary live. There Christ Jesus visited and had supper with them. Can you imagine what a meal that must have been like? Jews from all over were crowding the street outside, jostling each other in hope of catching a glimpse of a resurrected man. Inside, Lazarus, we are told, “sat at the table with Him.”

So there was Christ Jesus at the head of the table so to speak, with Lazarus reclining near by and Martha gladly serving the Master and the others at the table. Mary was on hand also listening to the Master and she was about to worship Him in a unique way. But Before we look at that let's look at Lazarus' and Martha' actions a little closer.

John 12:1-11
12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.
NIV

1. Lazarus' Witnessing (vs. 2, 9-11)

Christ Jesus came to a dinner party in Bethany. This feast of thanks, in which Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were involved, may well have taken place in the home of Simon the Leper if this is the same occasion recorded in Matthew 26:6–13 and Mark 14:3–9.

Some say that the supper at Simon's house took place earlier and that Mary used part of her perfume there and the rest at the supper three days later in Lazarus' and his sisters' house. I am not the scholar those guys are, but I do know this, here was Lazarus, not to long raised from the dead; sitting at the table with Christ Jesus and His disciples. And I know that there was a crowd there at the house at least outside.

Verse 9 says a large crowd of Jews came not only to see Christ Jesus, but also to see Lazarus. Why would these people be so interested in Lazarus? Well remember it wasn't so long ago that he had been dead and buried for four days and now here he was reclining with Christ Jesus casually eating supper. It's not every day you get to see something like that.

There was Lazarus at the table enjoying the meal. It proved the truth of his resurrection, and of Christ Jesus' power over death. Lazarus was there in town at the meal and there were those who ate and drank with him. Eating and drinking proved he was not a spirit - When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. Luke 24:40-43. Ghosts, and spirits don't eat and drink.

Lazarus did not retreat into the wilderness so to speak after his resurrection, hiding from the curiosity seekers like some kind of hermit. No, he visited with friends and neighbors, just as others did. He took meals with his family and friends. What a witness to the miracle Christ Jesus had done in his life.

 Lazarus' life became such a positive witness for Christ Jesus that many were believing in Christ Jesus. His witness had become so powerful that the religious leaders decided Lazarus needed to died again.

First Christ Jesus and then Lazarus – man can and will justify anything in order to hang on to the things of this world. Lazarus' life became his testimony to the love, power and glory of Christ Jesus. Brothers and Sisters what kind of testimony for Christ Jesus is your life?

2. Martha Working – (vs. 2)

Martha busy as ever, bustled away in the kitchen, her old spirit of criticism gone. She did not quit serving, as some might, who when found fault with for doing something, might go too far another way. 

No, Martha was in her customary place of serving while Lazarus, never more fresh and alive, was at the table with Christ Jesus. Christ had formerly admonished Martha for being troubled with much serving. But that was in the past, she still served; but not as then at a distance. Yes, Martha still served, but now within ear shot of Christ Jesus' gracious word. Martha's serving was her way of showing her devotion to Christ Jesus. What a joy it must have been for Martha to serve her resurrected brother and the one who is the resurrection, and the life - Christ Jesus.

Even now you can almost hear the joy and soft laughter of their animated conversation as they ate and drank, and Martha served them.

3. Mary Worshipping (vs. 3-8)

Mary's devotion to Christ Jesus was – Revealed 

It was Mary who came and anointed Christ Jesus’ feet, generously pouring out costly perfumed oil that was equivalent to the wages of a year’s work, and then wiping His feet with her hair (v. 3). Here was a symbol of consecration for that divine work which Christ Jesus was about to do. An early preparation for His death. But Mary did not know this, all she knew was here was the Messiah. Here was the one who gave her her brother back.

The fragrance of this generous gift, so gratefully poured out, filled the house with far more than its sweet smell. It brought the warm, pervasive glow of love. Mary gave this token of love to Christ Jesus, who had given a real tokens of His love to her and her family. He had given them their brother back. Christ Jesus in His infinite love for you died on a cross so that you might gain everlasting life.

Mary's devotion to Christ Jesus was – Rebuked 

The person that objected to Mary's show of love and devotion was Judas, one of Christ Jesus' disciples. This act of love is so extravagant that Judas, who obviously felt it had been a waste, asked piously why this money could not have been given to the poor (v. 5). 

While Judas was counted as one of the disciples he did not share their nature. Christ Jesus was not the Messiah he expected and now he did not have the same feelings for Christ Jesus as the others. It is possible for the worst of persons to conceal themselves under the guise of being a Christian; and there are many who pretend to have a relationship with Christ Jesus who really do not. 

Judas was an apostle, a preacher of the gospel, and yet one that discouraged and checked this instance of reverent affection and devotion. Judas bulked at Mary's show of devotion not because he cared, but because he was a selfish thief. Apparently Judas was gifted in handling money, so he had been given the responsibility for the common pot, which became his undoing. 

Christian Brothers and Sisters how is your walk with the our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus this morning?

Mary's devotion to Christ Jesus was – Rewarded 

Christ Jesus Himself commended Mary, not because He was indifferent to the poor, but because she had done a generous work of kindness in symbolically preparing Him for His own death.

Dr. Hammond writes, "You do not grudge the ointment used for the embalming of your dead friends, nor say that it should be sold, and given to the poor. Now this anointing either was so intended, or at least may be so interpreted; for the day of my burying is now at hand, and she has anointed a body that is already as good as dead." - Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition 

Yes, it was not many days now until Christ Jesus would be nailed to a cross, where He would die for you sins and mine.

Conclusion: Each of us who are Christians are called to be witnesses for Christ Jesus. Each of us are called to be workers in the field. But don't get so busy doing, that you forget to worship. Remember the whole reason you are witnessing and working is because of Christ Jesus and His love for you. “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance...Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” Rev 2:2; 4

If you do not know Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour today, I pray you have heard that He came to died for you so that you might have life. And hearing this I pray you take Him up on His offer - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev 3:20-21. Please let Christ Jesus into your life this morning.