Commemoration of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany
Sunday, July 29, 20125
The Lord be with you
Today is the Commemoration of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of
Bethany. They were disciples with whom Jesus had a special bond of love and
friendship. John’s Gospel records that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and
Lazarus” (John 11:5). On one occasion, Martha welcomed Jesus into their home
for a meal. While Martha did all the work, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, listening
to His Word, and was commended by Jesus for choosing the “good portion, which
will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42). When their brother Lazarus
died, Jesus spoke to Martha this beautiful Gospel promise: “I am the
resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he
live” (John 11:25). Ironically, when
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Jewish leadership became more
determined than ever to kill Jesus (John 11:39-54).
Six days before Jesus was crucified,
Mary anointed His feet with a very expensive fragrant oil and wiped them with
her hair, not knowing at the time that she was doing it in preparation for
Jesus’ burial (John 12:1-8; Matthew 26:6-13).
Prayer: Heavenly
Father, Your beloved Son befriended frail humans like us to make us Your own.
Teach us to be like Jesus’ dear friends from Bethany,
that we might serve Him faithfully like Martha, learn from Him earnestly like
Mary, and ultimately be raised by Him like Lazarus. Through their Lord and
ours, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever. Amen.
(Treasury of Daily
Prayer, Concordia Publishing House, 572, slightly altered)
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert`
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