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We all have at some time preferred our favorite relatives with whom we were far more comfortable with than with others, friends with whom we did not have to put on a formal air, people with whom we gelled compatibly and even strangers who became our acquaintances all too soon.
Perhaps it was an underlying thread which connected and pulled us towards the other, a familiar and relaxed sense of being around them, an easy going ambiance that we could identify with when being with them. But all reasoning apart, these were the people that added joy to our days and life.
Jesus too had his special set of family friends with whom he could acquaint with so easily. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, a family dear to the heart of Jesus.
Whenever Jesus travelled to Jerusalem, he stopped by at their place in Bethany where he was warmly welcomed and the love that they had for the Lord was apparent and also reciprocated by Jesus.
Martha was always busy preparing food for the Lord while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to his teachings. Lazarus reclined next to Jesus' heart.
Their hospitality warmed the heart of Jesus and he looked forward to being with them whenever he could. They provided for his needs and this played an important role in helping Jesus in his ministry.
As Jesus had commanded his disciples that when they set out, they should carry no staff, purse or extra set of clothes. Whichever house they entered, they were to impart their peace to that place, stay there and eat whatever was set before them for a labourer deserves his wages.
Jesus and his disciples needed the support and care of the people as they set about preaching, healing and casting off demons. For the miracles that they performed, their hard work throughout the day, journeying on foot with very little rest or sleep, the least that the people could do in return was to look after their basic needs.
Jesus found this generous giving and provision at the home of Lazarus and his sisters where peace was found in plenty, joy, laughter and love in abundance.
When Jesus received the news of the death of Lazarus, Jesus wept! He felt the pain of the two sisters, Martha and Mary. He knew that he was going to raise Lazarus back to life. Martha's determined faith that Jesus could perform a miracle even three days after the death of her brother moved Jesus and he rewarded her belief by manifesting his glory as God.
The prophet Isaiah (9:2) spoke of the birth of the Messiah and God being with his people on earth; "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" and in Isaiah 9:7, "Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
In Luke 7:16 when Jesus raises the widow's son to life in Nain, fear seized the people there, they were filled with awe and glorified God, saying, A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
When God left the comfort of heaven to come down to the earth, it was the greatest and unimaginable visit for man. God himself coming to meet us, live with us, teach us and die for us.
How blessed were the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus whose feast we celebrate on 29th July!
How fortunate were they to have God visit their home, live with them, teach them and give life back to Lazarus.
The thirty three years of the life of Jesus on this earth was a prolonged visit of God among his people.
Imagine if God had to visit us today. What would our reaction be?
We would probably be hurrying about to give and prepare the best for our Lord not only in terms of meals but also by means of our love and care, our listening ear to his Word, to make sure that our hearts are prepared to receive him in a state of grace to see our own worth in his eyes and feel his love that will make us want him to extend his visit with us forever.
But all this is already happening daily when God comes into our heart in communion with him. And he too is looking at us in anticipation for the generous giving of ourselves to preach about his kingdom on earth and provide for the needs of those actively involved in his ministry today.
His visit is a permanent one in our senses by the power of the Holy Spirit and we all need to be on our best attitude to receive him.
One day, we too will visit God in an eternal visit just as he came down to us, we too will go up to him. As Jesus told Martha that he is the Resurrection and the Life, for our life on earth and life forever in his company in heaven.
Maria Franco
Perhaps it was an underlying thread which connected and pulled us towards the other, a familiar and relaxed sense of being around them, an easy going ambiance that we could identify with when being with them. But all reasoning apart, these were the people that added joy to our days and life.
Jesus too had his special set of family friends with whom he could acquaint with so easily. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, a family dear to the heart of Jesus.
Whenever Jesus travelled to Jerusalem, he stopped by at their place in Bethany where he was warmly welcomed and the love that they had for the Lord was apparent and also reciprocated by Jesus.
Martha was always busy preparing food for the Lord while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to his teachings. Lazarus reclined next to Jesus' heart.
Their hospitality warmed the heart of Jesus and he looked forward to being with them whenever he could. They provided for his needs and this played an important role in helping Jesus in his ministry.
As Jesus had commanded his disciples that when they set out, they should carry no staff, purse or extra set of clothes. Whichever house they entered, they were to impart their peace to that place, stay there and eat whatever was set before them for a labourer deserves his wages.
Jesus and his disciples needed the support and care of the people as they set about preaching, healing and casting off demons. For the miracles that they performed, their hard work throughout the day, journeying on foot with very little rest or sleep, the least that the people could do in return was to look after their basic needs.
Jesus found this generous giving and provision at the home of Lazarus and his sisters where peace was found in plenty, joy, laughter and love in abundance.
When Jesus received the news of the death of Lazarus, Jesus wept! He felt the pain of the two sisters, Martha and Mary. He knew that he was going to raise Lazarus back to life. Martha's determined faith that Jesus could perform a miracle even three days after the death of her brother moved Jesus and he rewarded her belief by manifesting his glory as God.
The prophet Isaiah (9:2) spoke of the birth of the Messiah and God being with his people on earth; "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned" and in Isaiah 9:7, "Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."
In Luke 7:16 when Jesus raises the widow's son to life in Nain, fear seized the people there, they were filled with awe and glorified God, saying, A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited his people!”
When God left the comfort of heaven to come down to the earth, it was the greatest and unimaginable visit for man. God himself coming to meet us, live with us, teach us and die for us.
How blessed were the family of Martha, Mary and Lazarus whose feast we celebrate on 29th July!
How fortunate were they to have God visit their home, live with them, teach them and give life back to Lazarus.
The thirty three years of the life of Jesus on this earth was a prolonged visit of God among his people.
Imagine if God had to visit us today. What would our reaction be?
We would probably be hurrying about to give and prepare the best for our Lord not only in terms of meals but also by means of our love and care, our listening ear to his Word, to make sure that our hearts are prepared to receive him in a state of grace to see our own worth in his eyes and feel his love that will make us want him to extend his visit with us forever.
But all this is already happening daily when God comes into our heart in communion with him. And he too is looking at us in anticipation for the generous giving of ourselves to preach about his kingdom on earth and provide for the needs of those actively involved in his ministry today.
His visit is a permanent one in our senses by the power of the Holy Spirit and we all need to be on our best attitude to receive him.
One day, we too will visit God in an eternal visit just as he came down to us, we too will go up to him. As Jesus told Martha that he is the Resurrection and the Life, for our life on earth and life forever in his company in heaven.
Maria Franco
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