Devotion

Read: John 12:3; Proverbs 31:29-31

Mary’s heart was very warm, and she felt she must do something. She did not ask anybody, however, for her own mind was inventive. She had a special way of serving the Master, which her love suggested. She came to unfold her special gift that she might honour her glorious Saviour, Jesus the Lord. She came with a pound of ointment of spikenard to anoint Jesus. It was very costly. But in her heart it was never too costly to give to Him. There was a pound of it, but in her heart it was none too much for Him. It was very sweet, but none too sweet for Him. She brought the pound of ointment, and poured it upon His feet as He sat at the table, and then began to wipe His feet with the hairs of her head.

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Read: John 12:1, 2, 9; 3 John 1:5-8

As for Lazarus, he was one of them that sat at the table. We might hastily imagine that by sitting there he did nothing: but, the people had come together very much to see Lazarus, and for him to sit there, and to show himself, and especially to eat and to drink, was to do the best thing to convince onlookers that he was indeed alive. Our blessed Lord Himself, when He rose from the dead, found it needful to convince His disciples that He was really alive and in a real body, and therefore He took a piece of broiled fish and honeycomb, and did eat before them all (cf. Lk 24:36-43). When they saw Him eat, they were sure that He lived.

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Read: John 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 5:9-10

John 12 shows a division that was becoming more and more apparent among the people concerning their opinion about Christ. While those who believed in Christ showed greater love for Christ and His doctrines, those who rejected Him became increasingly intolerant with Him. Among those who loved Him ever more were Martha, Mary and Lazarus. They expressed their love by treating Christ to a delicious meal. Each had a different way of showing their love for Christ. Today we meditate on the loving service of Martha.

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Read: John 11:49-57; 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

The discussion of the Sanhedrin was getting them nowhere. So Caiaphas, the high priest, took charge. He made a definite proposal. It is expedient [profitable] for us, that one man should die for [huper, as a substitute for] the people, and that the whole nation perish not or may not be destroyed (v. 50). It was as simple as that. Either Jesus must die, or the nation, including the Sanhedrin, would be destroyed. And it was to their profit that the former should happen. Therefore, the entire matter was to be decided, not on what was right, but on the basis of expediency. What travesty, when pragmatism discards Christ, His truth and moral uprightness!

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Read: John 11:46-48; Psalms 2:2-4

We might expect the Pharisees, who are zealous defenders of the doctrine of resurrection, to be delighted in the news of Lazarus’ resurrection. However, because of their hatred for Jesus, they united with the chief priests, who were primarily Sadducees, who denied resurrection (cf. Acts 5:17).

The synoptic gospels had recorded two earlier incidents in Galilee of raising the dead by Jesus. Now He had raised Lazarus within two miles of the Jewish temple, the seat of Sadducean power. Many would go to Bethany to see this man who was raised from the dead by Jesus (12:10,11).

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Read: John 11:45-46; 1 Thessalonians 1:6

The miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, being one of the most outstanding evidences to Jesus’ claim that He is the true Son of God, demanded a response from all those who witnessed it. So immediately after the raising of Lazarus, people openly expressed their opinion of what they have seen, either by trusting Jesus and taking a stand for Him or by rejecting the evidence and taking side with the Jewish leaders who hated Him.

Those who believed on Him stayed together: “Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him” (v.45). The phrase “Then many of the Jews, which came to Mary” suggests their affinity with Mary and also Martha...

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Read: John 11:34-44; Philippians 3:21

The command of Jesus to roll away the large stone, which closed the entrance to the tomb, brought certain qualms to Martha. She had asked for this raising, but her faith in Christ’s power was almost engulfed by her awareness of conditions inside the sepulchre. Embalming was not practised in first-century Palestine. Burial usually occurred, therefore, on the day of death. Bodies were wrapped in strips of cloths, with spices sprinkled among the bindings to dispel the odour. Jesus encouraged Martha by pointing her away from the corruption of the tomb to the possibility of glorious promise.

Our Lord then prayed to the Father. The communion between the Son and the Father was so complete and harmonious. He did not pray at the tomb in order to ascertain God’s will or to direct it, for this was already done (11:4)...

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Read: John 11:28-33; Hebrews 12:12

While Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary remained in the house with friends and mourners. In personality, she differed from her sister. She needed sympathy rather than persuasion. So Martha encouraged her by whispering to her that the Lord had come and He calls for her. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him (v.29). No matter how weary we may be, let us remember that the Lord bids us to His side. Like Mary, let us haste, no matter how crippling the grief may be, to the Lord’s side. He says unto us, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matt 11:28).

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Read: John 11:17-27; 1 John 5:20

Martha, ever the practical and energetic of the two, was probably busy looking after her guests. Even though deep sorrow possessed her, life still must go on. Martha, hearing that Jesus was coming, went out to meet Him, while Mary remained in the house, probably prostrated with grief.

When Martha met Jesus, she made a very remarkable statement to him. If thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.· Her words expressed strong faith in Jesus’ power to heal. Martha was not blaming Jesus for not hurrying to come before Lazarus died, because she knew that Lazarus was probably dead by the time Jesus received the message. Martha, however, did not stop with this affirmation. She went on to say:· I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee...

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Read: John 11:11-16; Daniel 12:2

Jesus’ response to the news of Lazarus’ deadly sickness was: “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep” (v.11). The term “sleep” was a figure of speech. Nonetheless, the disciples, interpreting the word “sleep” in the natural sense, thought that Lazarus’ health was improving. Then Jesus said plainly, “Lazarus is dead” (v.14). Then the disciples understood the actual situation in Bethany. Jesus knew clearly that Lazarus was dead. (Therefore His remark in 11:4 cannot be an indication of inaccurate knowledge...

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