Jesus and His Home Ministry
“Six days before The Pass Over, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he had raised from death. They prepared a dinner for him, there which Martha helped to Serve” (John: 12.1).
Jesus went to Bethany to the home of Lazarus. This time, it is said that “They prepared a dinner and Martha was serving”. Unlike the previous time, we see togetherness of the two sisters in preparing the dinner. During his previous visit to Bethany, Martha while cooking, complained to Jesus about her sister. But this time probably Mary helped her whole heartedly, because Jesus had aroused her brother from death and it was a night dinner. Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Jesus.
During his previous visit, Mary sat down at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. This time, she took a pound of ointment of Spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. It was an act of total surrender, perfect love and thanks giving. She gave the best she had in her home. It was estimated to be 300 pounds by Judas-iscariot and he suggested that it could be sold and given to poor. In those days 200 Pennies worth food was sufficient enough to feed 5000 men excluding women and children. (Mark 6:37) What a huge amount it worth! The whole house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Thus Jesus was honoured on that day in Bethany amidst a number of people who came to see Lazarus. Jesus just asked Judas to leave Mary, for; she had kept that for his burial, but, used it earlier. The poor would be always in this world. But the Son of God would soon go away to his father.
The Values we learn are
1. We should be always thankful to God for the innumerable blessings we receive from him.
2. The life of a Christian should reflect the love and grace, we receive from God.
3. Every good act would be opposed by the enemy. But we should not bother.
4. Our life should be like an perfume, giving happiness to others.
Testimony: A drunkard, who was touched and saved by the word “Eternity”, wrote everywhere possible in Australia with blue and yellow chalk “Eternity” to alert his fellow men about the eternal life which is ahead of us.
Prayer:
Lord! Help us to give our hearts to you as a thanks giving offering for rescuing us from the death of Sin Amen!
Sol. VICTYMIHHYLA ARULDAS