-May 31, 2023-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“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 12:2-3).
Jesus had three very close, dear friends in Bethany: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He loved them and they loved Him. They often opened their home and invited Jesus and His disciples over. Mary and Martha were sisters and Lazarus was their brother. We are not told their ages or who was the youngest, the middle one, or the oldest; but we do have some clues from reading all the three passages that speak of them (Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-44; and John 12:1-11).
Using my sanctified imagination, I would say Martha was the oldest, Mary was the middle one, and Lazarus was the youngest. They lived together but we are told that it was Martha’s home. Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her serve, and when their brother Lazarus got sick and was near death, they called for Jesus to come and heal him. I say Lazarus was likely the little brother or baby brother. This is just my opinion, of course, but it makes sense.
Each of these three were precious to Jesus. Jesus had many friends while he was here on earth, but there were none closer than these three. As believers we are the friends of Jesus also. Our Savior said in John 15:13-15, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
Over the next three days we will consider these three friends and what each of them symbolizes in our relationship to Jesus. In the OT, Abraham was called the friend of God. Now in the age of grace in the NT we are all His friends. Martha represents service, Mary represents worship, and Lazarus represents fellowship. Taken together these three traits form a beautiful tapestry of gold, blue, and scarlet like the garments of the priests. I trust we will all be blessed over these next three days and apply these truths to our lives.
Have a blessed day dear friends, walking close to Jesus in sweet fellowship, worshipping Him with holy adoration, and serving Him with all our hearts. Stay safe and healthy.
Having the best Friend in Jesus,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 