Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Siblings

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” –John 12:1-3

Let’s go on a visit to the home of siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Bethany, a town about two miles southeast of Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mt. of Olives. This household was one that received Jesus warmly on his travels, and there is where Jesus went a week before the Passover and His trial and crucifixion.

Consider Mary and Martha, sisters. When Jesus came for a visit, Mary sat at His feet, listening to His teachings. Her sister, Martha, “distracted with much serving” wanted Jesus to reprimand Mary and tell her to help with the meal. Jesus commended Mary, saying, “Mary has chosen the good part which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42). If we women are honest with ourselves, we must admit that we relate more to Martha, for are we not always thinking of ways we can serve, even to the detriment of our learning from Jesus?

In the passage from John 12 quoted above, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with costly oil (and, because of the context, we assume this is the sister of Martha and Lazarus—but there are two anointings in Bethany [see Mt. 26:66-13]). Judas Iscariot finds fault with Mary’s action and says the money should have been used to feed the poor. This is due to his own selfishness, not because he loves the poor. By her action, Mary is demonstrating her love for the Lord and also performing the act in anticipation of His forthcoming death.

Both Mary and Martha had been greatly grieved that their brother Lazarus died. When Jesus finally arrived, four days after the death, both sisters, meeting Jesus separately, said: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:21, 32). Their grief was short-lived, because Jesus called Lazarus forth from the tomb and he was completely restored to life and to health. At the supper later, he was sitting at the table, enjoying Jesus as his guest. But his life was not out of danger, for the chief priests plotted to kill Lazarus. Because of his resurrection, many Jews had believed in Jesus.

The gift of hospitality was a spiritual gift of members of the Bethany house. A great miracle had happened at their family tomb as Lazarus was raised from the dead. These siblings had quality time with Jesus as He found rest from His travels and sustenance for His body.

Prayer. Lord, may we, as did Mary, Martha and Lazarus, welcome You into our home so that we may have quality fellowship with You. May our home be filled with the fragrance of Your presence.

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Thursday, March 11, 2010