Dining With The Dead

There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.  John 12:2

'Who is this Him?' might well be the first question asked by those unfamiliar with the relationship of Martha, Lazarus, Mary, and Jesus. Without the rest of the story even we who have read the Gospel of John are not entirely sure when this dinner takes place. Lazarus and Him sit down to dinner which Martha serves. The riches of the Word are of course all around this verse as Mary is about to do something spectacular, which will in turn offend Judas. and John will make a note of a betrayal to come and some embezzlement. Dinner and a scandal! Oh, and by the way, Lazarus was dead...and he has been raised to life again by this 'Him' who sits at dinner. 

In the rest of the story we also know that it is six days to Passover. This first paragraph does not tell that this will be THAT Passover, the one where Jesus our Lord must be executed quickly so that the Passover can go on. Count on the priests and Pharisees to observe the rule of the law while rushing the execution of the Savior. Like many verses in the Bible, this one today is such an innocent little verse, but it is a bridge to the rest of the story. A story central to our salvation! Even as He dines with the dead, our Lord Jesus is on the way to make His sacrifice on our behalf. That sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God saves everyone who will believe in Him. Yes, that Him!

Love and joy in Christ our Lord!

Bucky