Which One Will We Be?

Life in 2024 is not simple. Each day confronts us with any number of challenges, any number of opportunities to show, through our responses and actions, our followership of Jesus. Or not. If we’re honest with ourselves and submit these responses to God as we come before Him in prayer, we mostly fall short. Thanking God for His mercy, grace and (to be honest) patience as we muddle our way through these daily challenges should probably be hallmarks of our prayer lives - I, for one, will put my hand up and admit that I need to do this.

There is a small story in John’s gospel describing the night before Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Here was the promised Messiah, about to embark the biggest week of his earthly life - it would be a week of the starkest contrasts. To name them in short, there would be an entry into the city on a donkey, widespread adulation, acute focus, probing questions, an unfair trial, abject rejection, a humiliating crucifixion, death alongside thieves and a poor man’s burial. And a resurrection!

What did Jesus do just before this? John 12 tells us he was quietly waiting, at Lazarus’ house.

Jesus didn’t just walk the streets, lanes and highways healing, stand on the edge of lakes or on mountain tops teaching, pull nets full of fish out of empty lakes - or indeed walk on them. He did do all this - and His divine nature was more and more affirmed with each of these miracles, insights and ministry moments. But Jesus also hung out with those who were his nearest and dearest – the closest of his friends. They were important to him – he was nourished in their presence, by their presence.

Martha - the busy and relentless server.

Lazarus - the sitter - Jesus’ companion, friend, and contemplator. A receiver of two gifts of life - a resurrection of sorts, an eternal life at this time yet to be realised. Both caught up in their own activity (Martha) - or lack of it (Lazarus)!

In this narrative, two more were named - Mary and Judas.

Mary - a woman saved by the truth of Jesus’ words and actions. A woman devoted to servicing men previously, she is now a worshipper of the Son of Man.

And Judas - the criticiser. A man quick to point out that there was a problem; a self-appointed treasurer for the disciples, known for focusing on detail and not the big picture, his betrayal of Jesus was not many days away. His heart was turning away from Jesus - the reverse of what had happened to Mary.

In contrast to her complete renewing and restoration, Judas was about to unravel - spectacularly. Judas’ part in this story is to criticise - in particular, to take issue with Mary’s “extravagant waste” of a precious resource.

In Lazarus’ house, Mary takes an extraordinarily expensive bottle of perfume - one that would have been a significant part of her bride-price - breaks it open and pours the entire $40,000 (in today’s money) contents on the dusty feet of her wise rabbi, her dear friend, the one she had identified early on as “the one” - sent by God the creator to save the world.

She can think of nothing better than to worship - with all that she is, and all that she has. She wipes the perfume on His feet with her hair. No doubt the perfume scented her hair - she would carry this reminder of this encounter for many days - and it filled the room. A smell of beauty, an act of worship - of Jesus, Son of God, Prince of Peace, Saviour of the world.

As they hang out at Lazarus’ house, big things started happening outside. Jesus’ peace and withdrawal, Mary’s moment of worshipful beauty - these were about to be completely interrupted.

When we encounter Sar Shalom (the Prince of Peace) - foretold with such certainty in the scripture and testified to by so many around us because of the way He has changed our lives - how will we respond?

As a doer - 

Caught up in the activity we are already doing - missing the moment …

As a thinker - 

Away in our own thoughts - not seeing the significance of God in our midst …

As a criticiser - 

Deflecting and rejecting what is plain to see in front of us - a means by which we can enjoy eternal freedom - ultimately rejecting it as unnecessary …

As a worshipper - 

Not counting the cost, giving all that we have, and all that we are - in worship of our Saviour and Lord …

In whatever moment we find ourselves, may it be that ultimately our actions will be so focused on the gracious work in our lives of the living God, that those actions become an act of worship and bring honour to His name.

Shalom.