We read about a simple meal shared with Jesus and His friends. In this scene we see Martha, Lazarus, Mary, and Judas. Each one shows us a different part of the Christian life.
John 12:2-4, “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. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him.”
Jesus: The Center
At the center of it all is Jesus. He is the reason for our serving, our fellowship, and our worship. Just like He was the focus at that meal, He should be the focus in our lives. Without Him, the rest does not matter.
Martha: The Servant
Martha shows us the spirit of service. She was busy preparing and helping. Serving is a good thing, and it is part of the Christian life. But if all we do is work without resting in the Lord, we can wear ourselves out. Service should flow from our love for Him, not just from duty.
Lazarus: The Friend
Lazarus sat at the table with Jesus. This points to fellowship. We need time with the Lord in prayer and in His Word. Fellowship builds strength and refreshes us. But we cannot stay there forever. After spending time with Christ, we are called to step out and serve with the strength He gives.
Mary: The Worshiper
Mary poured her costly ointment on the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair. This was worship. She gave what was valuable and precious to her. True worship is giving ourselves and our desires to the Lord. It is more than doing duties or paying tithes. It is laying our life before Him.
Judas: The Warning
Judas is the warning in this passage. He questioned Mary’s worship, but his heart was full of greed. He pretended to care, but he was only thinking of himself. If we are not careful, we can end up like Judas, making our lives about us instead of Christ. That path leads to ruin.
This short meal with Jesus paints a picture of Christian life. Service, fellowship, and worship all matter, but they must be balanced and built on Christ. Judas reminds us what happens when self takes the throne. The Christian life is at its best when Christ is at the center, and everything else is offered to Him.
