Dinner Roles

I am sure at some point you have been asked a get-to-know-you question like, "If you could have dinner with one person in history, who would it be?" So, let me ask you, who would you chose?

I think you can guess who I would chose.

Let's see what that dinner might look like.

"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.
     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.” John 12:1-4
What a scene?!

There is the "Energizer bunny" Martha; sleeves rolled up and ready to serve, reliable, hardworking Martha.

Who is that over there on her knees? While Martha serves with her hands, Mary lifts her hands in praise and prayer. For she loves to worship, she lives to pray.

And Lazarus? Why is he beaming and unable to shut up? He’s sharing his pinch-me-I’m-dreaming death experience.

What about Judas? Interrupting with a complaint. "You are doing church/worship/thanksgiving all wrong." 

I wonder if there was anyone missing from the table. Someone who did not make it to this dinner celebration. I wonder what was so important that they would miss out on being with Jesus.

Martha’s role was to thank Jesus by seeing to the details of the dinner. 
Mary’s role was to thank Jesus by pouring this expensive ointment out on Jesus.
Lazarus' role was to thanks Jesus by telling his story. 
Judas' role was to pop the bubble of Jesus.
The too-busy disciple who missed out on the action role was to take Jesus for granted.
In all these ways they expressed their response to the greatness of Jesus and his grace and power to raise Lazarus from the dead.

The Marthas who serve, the Marys who pray, the Lazarus' who testify, and the Judas' who complain—all seated at the table together. Let's not forget about the disciple who is missing. In God’s house, each one plays a different role. 

Would you ever want to have dinner with Jesus? Which role would you play? Which role are you playing right now?

Seeking to serve Jesus. Seeking to worship Jesus. Seeking to tell stories about Jesus. Hoping never to miss out on Jesus.
Pastor Chris

---