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Daily Devotion: John 12:1-2

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John 12:1-2    "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.  (2)  There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him."

This day is set between the day Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and the day Jesus would die. They were celebrating the life of Lazarus. He had been dead, buried, and was now alive again.  He was seated at the table with Jesus, enjoying the wonderfully prepared meal. Notice something about this passage: "and Martha served."  She is no longer complaining that she has to serve while everyone else is sitting around. I believe she is gladly serving the One Who is The Resurrection and The Life. She is gladly serving the one for whom she had just mourned because of his death.

The work of Jesus in our lives changes the perspective of our service. When we truly realize what Jesus has done for us, service is a joy rather than a toil. Think about the joy that was in this house on this day. I can only imagine the discussion that took place as they sat around that table. Surely there was laughter and a sense of joyous thanksgiving. On that day, they were sitting in heavenly places with Christ Jesus the Lord.

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,  (5)  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  (6)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:4-6)  

Now let us look at that table once again. This time, place yourself in Lazarus' seat. Place your name in the last part of John 12:2, "but (your name) was one of them that sat at the table with him."  Yes, that is exactly what takes place each time we are blessed to be fed by the Word of God. We, who were dead, now sit together with Christ "in heavenly places" to have a time of joyous thanksgiving unto the Lord.  

I want to leave you today with this suggestion. Each time you enter the House of God to worship, go with this same approach. You once were dead in trespasses and sins, but now you are alive in Christ Jesus. You have been raised from the dead and have so much for which to be thankful. Go to the House of God with the approach that you are going to sit down for a meal of celebration of life.  Worship will be a joy and will not seem a task.

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