This morning I simply sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to what He has to say.

Follow me…be where I am

Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (John 12:23-26).

Walk in the light…put your trust in the light

Jesus replied, “My light will shine for you just a little longer. Walk in the light while you can, so darkness will not over take you. Those who walk in the darkness cannot see where they are going. Put your trust in the light while there is still time; then you will become children of the light” (John 12:35-36).

Jesus shouted to the crowds, “If you trust me, you are trusting not only me, but also God who sent me. For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me. I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark” (John 12:44-46).

Do as I have done to you

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them” (John 13:15-17).

Love each other

As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will soon give glory to the Son. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:31-35).

Don’t be troubled…trust in me

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going” (John 14:1-4).

You know me

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” – (John 14:6-7)

Ask me for anything and I will do it!

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that he Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” – (John 14:12-14)

Follow me. Be where I am. Walk in the light. Put your trust in the light. Do as I have done to you: Love each other. Don’t be troubled. Trust in me. You know me. Ask for anything and I will do it!

In chapter 12, John gives account of several different responses to Jesus – these responses reminded me of the various responses of people within the church today.

Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus – the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.

But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor – he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself (John 12:1-6).

The Passover was only six days away and I am sure there was much that needed to be done for this annual celebration, yet Lazarus, Martha and Mary put aside their preparations in order to throw a dinner party in Jesus’ honor. What a year it had been for them! They recognized how different this Passover celebration would have been if Jesus had not intervened and raised Lazarus from the dead. God had blessed them greatly and they refused to forget His generosity. Instead they chose to be generous in return.

Martha is doing what she does best – serving. It is her love language. Lazarus is soaking in the presence of Jesus, thankful for the opportunity to share a meal together in brotherly fellowship and giving Jesus the gift of his time, probably realizing that every minute of his life is gift from Jesus Himself. Martha and Lazarus remind me of my mother-in-law, Bonnie Sherwood. Three times she has been diagnosed with cancer and today she is cancer-free, not saved by human efforts but healed by God. She knows that every day is a gift from God and so she lives out her love language of serving God by serving others and soaks in every opportunity to worship in Jesus’ presence.

Mary’s response to Jesus is beautiful in her own way, perhaps describing her love language – sacrifice. There was nothing too expensive for Jesus, nothing she was unwilling to do in order to express her devotion to the Savior. The house was filled with the fragrance. Mary’s sacrifice and worship had an impact on the entire house, affecting the experience of everyone in her vicinity. When we give our best to God, when we serve and worship Him in reckless abandon, all those around us are impacted by that kind of sacrifice.

Judah’s response was one of selfishness and greed. He was thinking only of himself. His concern was first for his own experience, disregarding the heart of Jesus and the needs of others. He had an attitude of possessiveness and entitlement.

These various responses can sadly been seen today among the body of Christ. Consider these examples and ask God to reveal your heart.

– The Church announces a work day. Martha signs up, Mary offers to buy the cleaning supplies and Judas says, “I was at the last work day. It is someone else’s turn to clean.”
– A teenager who is rough around the edges, struggling with some addictions and coming from an unchurched family walks in the door. Martha offers him a ride to all future youth group events, Mary offers to pay his way to camp and Judas complains that there are cigarette butts in the Church parking lot now.
– The State posts the abortion statistics for the local community and the lives of 350 babies are reflected in last year’s numbers. Martha volunteers her time and Mary writes a check to the local pregnancy center, while Judas looks the other way and complains if the Church brings up the topic of abortion – after all, it makes everyone uncomfortable.
– A man walks out on his wife and kids, filing for divorce. Martha volunteers to babysit, Mary brings offer a week’s worth of groceries, and Judas says, “There’s always two sides to every story – I’m sure she shares some of the fault in their marriage going bad. Pastor, you need to find someone else to teach her Sunday School class.”

Heavenly Father, reveal to me any “Judas” traits I might have. Forgive me for the times when I have put my own desires ahead of the needs of others, or the times when I have been too busy to honor You. Forgive me for the times when I have judged others instead of showing love. Help me to always see how different my life would be without Your intervention and healing. May I never forget Your generosity but always be generous towards You. May the fragrance of my devotion to You be a blessing to all those in the house. Grow the “Martha” and “Mary” in me so that my first response is service and generosity. Like Lazarus, thank you for allowing me to experience Your presence this morning as I drink my morning coffee. Amen.