..but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. Matt 8:20
We looked yesterday in John 12 at the house of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, near Jerusalem, a house and household given over to honour and serve Jesus. Martha served a dinner in Jesus’ honour, Mary anointed Him with perfume and Lazarus whom he’d raised up sat at table with Him. This part of John 12 concludes with Jews gathering at the house;
Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that JESUS WAS THERE AND CAME, not only because of Him BUT ALSO TO SEE Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.… For on account of him (Lazarus) many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him John 12:9, 10
The house at Bethany became a gathering place, people got to know Jesus was there. Could the Lord do this again in our day, could people come to our homes or apartments because they’ve heard that Jesus is there? Would we be willing to offer our homes and households (family time) to the Lord for His service today? It doesn’t matter how humble or how grand it may be, if the Lord is there and if there’s true love and caring, people will be drawn to it. Martha provided food, she obviously had a gift for hospitality and that will help people to come as well, but it doesn’t need to be lavish.
Lazarus had a unique story, but so do each of us. We all have our own stories to tell of how the Lord met with us. Not just then but what’s been happening in our lives since we came to Jesus. It’s important to note that the people came to see Lazarus, they wanted to see and hear that story. It doesn’t have to be just one person taking the lead all the time, each one can share what the Lord means to us personally. The main thing is that the Lord is at the centre and He is lifted up, that’s why people will be drawn to us. In many countries it’s not possible for believers to meet openly, yet there’s great benefit and blessings from being part of a group (our family) of believers.
I was reading some verses from Proverbs this morning;
Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm. Proverbs 12:7
A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. Proverbs 12:3
If you want your house to stand firm and endure today, make it a house for the Lord. A place where people are drawn to meet with Jesus, either individually or in groups.
God bless and keep you today.