John 12:1-2

New King James Version

Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.

For Meditation

Oh, the wonder of your majesty! Where is it in my life? Where is it in your church? You have become so familiar we cannot see Your glorious Presence with us anymore.

Attending service is not a problem for us. There Is Jack and Jackie to see—a duty here and there to perform—to satisfy our spiritual obligation. But do we recognize you seated on your throne in our midst? Do we sense the power of your majesty? Do we feel your wonder in the teaching and preaching we hear every day? 

How many focus on hearing  you in the sermon than adoring the messenger? Preoccupied with the wrong things, we find wonder in the preacher’s eloquence. But does your Word come without your glory? 

Why then are we in devotion every morning if not to see your glory and enjoy your fellowship and warmth? Why in service if not to find intimacy in the wonder of your holy Presence? We see this at a dinner scene in Bethany for Jesus (Jn. 12:1-11). 

There he was, Lazarus, seated at the dinner table with Jesus (2). An enormous crowd from Jerusalem has descended on Bethany to witness in astonishment (9), the once-dead-and-buried-man for four days, eating! The wonder of wonders!

To see the living dead was their goal and endeavor. No one saw the wonder of the miracle worker sitting with the man He raised from the dead. Did the Pharisees even care to know the wonder of the Son of Man?

Their preoccupation was denial and hatred for Him—to remove the evidence before the people could behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus (10). The cross to humiliate Him was their goal. So they came to see Lazarus and plot their Calvary agenda. They had lost the glory of God in His Son – the Promised Messiah. This, beyond shame!

Now they are gone, but we are here. Every day He walks amonst us and sits at our dinner tables. Do we see His wonder? Do we appreciate His glory in our salvation and the awe in His Presence?

 So, why are you before Him today?

May our senses and our spirits be sensitive to His presence, that we may behold His majesty and be transformed by Him. Amen!