Hi Doves, this amazing small study is
for all of you
From a ‘Lazarus’ who became a Mary’
John 12:2-3
Jesus
taught us that whenever two or three gather in His
name, He would be in the midst of them (Mat_18:20). And
here, in this house in Bethany, we see the components
of the church in the three who opened their house to
Him as we observe Martha working, Lazarus witnessing,
and Mary worshiping.
Martha Working
This
is the same Martha who, a few months previously, said,
"Lord, tell my sister to get in here in the kitchen
and give me a hand."
"Martha,
you're troubled by many things," Jesus had said. "One
thing is needful, but you're striving and stressing
and troubled about many things" (see Luk_10:41). The
same is true of us. How often we are so busy, but not
very blessed. People come to simply spend time with
us, but we make fancy desserts, vacuum the carpets,
wash the windows, mow the lawn, sweep the walks—and by
the time they get there, we have a headache and want
them to leave. "One thing I desired, Martha," said
Jesus, "sitting at My feet, Mary has chosen better."
Martha
evidently learned this lesson, because now, several
months later, the scene is repeated again. Martha is
still working—only this time it's not for one guest,
but for seventeen: Jesus, His disciples, Simon
(mentioned in Luke's account), Mary, Martha, and
Lazarus. Martha's still in the kitchen—but this time
she's not complaining. Good for her.
Certain
of you are workers by nature, Martha-like in your
mind-set. That's good, as long as you're not
complaining and striving, feeling obligated,
burned-out, or hassled. If you can work joyfully as
unto the Lord, great! The body of Christ desperately
needs Marthas. I thank the Lord for the Marthas who
serve joyfully, helping people practically. If such is
your role, I commend you.
Lazarus
Witnessing
Although
Lazarus never speaks a word, he's a major witness.
Jesus would be doing the teaching, the speaking, and
the sharing. But Lazarus was the proof of the pudding
(verse Joh_12:9)
because witnessing is not only what you say. More
importantly, it's what you are. Jesus didn't
commission us to go into all the world and witness. He
said, "You shall be My witnesses (Act_1:8). In other
words, it's as if Jesus said, "Like Lazarus, you were
dead. Your countenance was drab; you reeked of the
grave; you were bound up in all sorts of stuff. But I
freed you. And now you shall be My witnesses because
people will look at the difference in you and be
amazed."
I
like what Samuel Chadwick, the classic Methodist
evangelist and educator of the 1900s, said: "If God is
at work week by week raising men from the dead, there
will always be people coming to see how it is done.
You cannot find an empty church that has conversion as
its leading feature. Do you want to know how to fill
empty chapels? Here is the answer: Get your Lazarus."
I'm
convinced that true worshipping churches see the
amphitheatre packed to overflowing because a lot of
folks go to see people being baptized Sunday after
Sunday. It intrigues, interests, stimulates, and
draws. And not only does conversion fill empty
churches—it fills empty lives. If you are finding your
own joy diminishing, let me ask you this question: How
long has it been since you've shared with an
unbeliever? You see, saved sinners not only cause joy
in heaven (Luk_15:10),
but they bring about feasting and merriment in our own
hearts as well (Luk_15:23-24).
Living your life before the unbeliever in such a way
that he'll be curious about the gospel is the key not
only to filling empty churches, but also to filling
empty Christians. Find Lazarus. Be Lazarus.
Evangelize.
Mary
Worshiping
Mary
is a symbol of the beauty of worship. Worship is
costly. It might cost you a relationship even as it
cost Mary when, in pouring the ointment upon the feet
of Jesus, she was pouring out her very dowry. If we
are true worshipers, people in our lives might shy
away from us a bit and call us crazy. "Lifting hands,
singing songs, praising, and kneeling are signs of
fanaticism. I'm not interested in that or in you if
that's what you're going to do," they might say.
Worship can be costly. It cost Mary not simply her
alabaster box and oil, but she would be analyzed and
criticized by Judas. So will we be.
When
David danced before the Lord with all his might,
stripped down to his undergarments, his wife mocked
him (2Sa_6:20).
David went on to continue worshiping the Lord all the
days of his life. But Michal "had no child unto the
day of her death" (2Sa_6:23).
The same is still true. Those who critique or find
fault with worship will experience barrenness,
dryness, and a lack of productivity. Ask Michal. Ask
Judas. Then ask Mary about worshiping…
The
ointment she poured out upon Jesus was not used
several days earlier on her brother Lazarus possibly
because she was saving it for Jesus' burial. Yet she
did not use it at His burial either, for it was Mary
Magdalene who went to anoint His body with perfume and
spice on Easter morning—not Mary of Bethany. Nor was
Mary of Bethany at the foot of the Cross. Mary, the
mother of Jesus, was there—but not Mary of Bethany.
Why did Mary of Bethany seemingly have no part in the
death and burial of her Lord? Because Mary evidently
understood something no one else comprehended.
Although Jesus had spoken directly to His disciples,
saying, "I'm going to die, be buried, and rise again
after three days," they didn't get it. Mary is the
only one who understood what was going to happen. She
alone saw the big picture. She alone understood there
was no need to save the ointment for Jesus'
burial—because He wasn't going to stay buried. There
was no need to go with the other Marys to the
Cross—because that wouldn't be the end of the story.
How
did Mary have such profound insight? I suggest it was
because she was at His feet constantly, expressively,
and expectantly. Be a worshiper in your morning
devotions and in your evening watches. Be a worshiper
in church on Sundays and Wednesdays. Be a worshiper
and watch and see what will happen, for, like Mary,
you'll hear the Lord's heart and know things others
don't.
With
thanks to Jon Courson of Applegate who changed my
outlook on the wonderful Scriptures and making them
come alive for me
Jimmy
Lishman – a Lazarus who became a witness and then a
“Mary” and lost a lot of “friends” and baggage along
the way
Love
in JESUS CHRIST