Right before Palm Sunday, Jesus was in Bethany, in the home of resurrected-Lazarus, and his sisters Mary and Martha. They shared a meal to honor Jesus—and as usual, Martha served and Mary took a low place at Jesus’ feet. This time to anoint Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wipe his feet with her hair. The fragrance of Mary’s perfume and love filled the house, and pointed towards Jesus’ immanent death on the cross. (Paraphrase of John12:1-3,7)
Lord Jesus, how beautiful and appropriate—I never realized till today just how close Lazarus’ death and resurrection were to yours. It makes all the sense in the world that just before Palm Sunday, you would be in the welcoming home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus—a home you visited more than once between your baptism in the Jordan and resurrection into heaven. In your costly (Jn.15:13) and glad (Heb.12:2) journey to the cross, they were a family that gave you rest and refreshment—even if you never “laid your head” there (Matt.8:20; Lk.9:58).
Jesus, two things immediately come to mind and heart today. First, thank you for friends, families, and homes you have given us that give us what this trio of siblings gave you. The gifts of oasis, welcome, hospitality, good food, loud laughs, don’t-have-to-pretend acceptance, and copious kindness all point to you.
Secondly, thank you—above all, for doing a lot more than giving us a place to lay our weary heads and enjoy the finest of temporal rest. Jesus, you lived and died for us to give us eternal life—the quality and quantity of life that can only be found in you. Like Lazarus, we have already experienced one resurrection through the Gospel (Eph.2:6). Eternal life has already begun for us, but we passionately long for the Day of “all things new” you will usher in at your return. You say that Day is “soon” (Rev.22:7,20), we’d love “real soon,” Jesus. So Very Amen.