By: Juliet Constantine
“Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.” (John 12:1-3)
Having guests over can be an enjoyable time, but the work that goes into preparing can be tiresome. Some people are really hospitable. You can call on them anytime, and it’s like they were expecting you. I’ve noticed that God has a special blessing for those who are hospitable to others: not just to guests, but family too. It would seem that the more they give and give and give: the more they receive. Nonetheless, the happy part of everyone gathering is really the food and chatter.
A similar setting was spread six days before the Passover. The venue was Lazarus and his sisters’ home in Bethany. As was customary, Martha was serving, and boy could she serve up a storm! The food must have been consistently, very good because this was Jesus’ favorite place to eat. Again it was supper time with Jesus and many had gathered – some just for the food.
The Passover was coming and all were expected to partake of it. But Jesus had other plans, His guests for His Passover would be His disciples. However, though it seemed unplanned, this pre-Passover supper would be the last time He would dine at His favorite food stop. It was His going away party and many didn’t know it. Surely Martha, with her men and women servants, didn’t know it. They were too busy serving the supper to Jesus and His entourage. Judas didn’t realize it either: he was busy watching how much money was being spent. Many others didn’t know – but Mary, Lazarus’ sister, must have felt it. This is why she was moved to anoint Jesus’ feet.
Her thankfulness to Jesus for the hospitality He had shown her in her time of need was too much to verbalize. He did something for her that no one was willing to do. Others used and abused her; even some of the same church folks. But Jesus was different. His kindness and hospitable mannerism was like a magnet pulling her to Him. This was her tribute to Him: her way of saying thanks while she still could. Now, it wasn’t about the food – as good as it was. She couldn’t help herself. She was compelled to let Jesus know how grateful she was for what He did for her. It was supper time, but it was also a time to say thanks.
As I reflected on this story and the setting, I found myself thinking about supper time in Heaven. I seemed to be thinking about Heaven more and more these days and my constant prayer is to be ready to go. I am not afraid to die. I just want to be ready to meet my Savior in peace. And so, I gladly answer His call to come home. Supper time with Jesus in Heaven is almost here. It’s suspended in space between two verses in Revelation. But any day now, supper will be served. Jesus will be there. Will you? You can be. Just answer His call and He will reserve your space at the table. After that, you only need to hold onto your chair.
Oh my Father, You are holy. Holy is Your name. I am weak but You are strong. Please help me to hold onto my chair because it’s almost supper time with Jesus. Please banish away discouragement and strengthen my faith in Your promises, I pray, In Jesus’ name, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
