“Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived…” (John 12:1 NIV)
We see it so clearly in the Lazarus story: Jesus is the difference between life and death. It’s extra dramatic in the Lazarus account, but it isn’t any less true in our personal stories. Before Jesus comes on our scene, we are lost and dying in sin. After our encounter with Jesus, we are rescued and alive for eternity. It really is that simple. Jesus makes all the difference. The question is, what are we to do with this new life we’ve been given?
“A dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; se poured it onto Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” (John 12:2-3 NIV)
How do you thank someone for resurrecting you from the dead? Apparently you have a dinner party. 🙂
Truly, tough, we see four appropriate postures of the believer after restoration from sin and death.
Honor. The dinner was held in Jesus’ honor. Fancy supper seems a small offering in response to the miraculous intervention of Christ, but honor is the gift we all possess to give. We honor Jesus with the rest of our lives after we have received salvation.
Service. Martha served supper and we can assure she did so gladly. She must have been delighted for another opportunity to feed her formerly four-days-dead brother and the Messiah who restored him. We serve Jesus as best we can and with a cheerful heart after we have received His salvation.
Fellowship. We see a happy and alive Lazarus at the table with Jesus. He enjoyed his Savior’s company; surely just glad to be sucking air again. Saved people are glad to be with Jesus in all circumstances.
Worship. Martha served but Mary worshiped. She spent herself as extravagantly on Christ as He had for humanity. She poured her praise out at His feet. For her, salvation resulted in worship.
“But one of His disciples Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray Him, objected.” (John 12:4 NIV)
There will always be a people who object to the priority of service, worship, fellowship, and honor. Pursue the presence of Christ anyway. Ignore the naysayers and spend your second life (the rebirth brought about by Jesus) on the one who paid the price in full.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3 NIV)
Lord, let us spend ourselves entirely on You: in honor, service, fellowship, and worship. Like Lazarus, all we possess today and forever is because of Your intervention Let us live out the reality our gratitude, happy to love You into eternity. Amen.