We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on April 6, 2020.
Reading Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?’ (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, ‘Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.’ When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So, the chief priests planned to put Lazarus to death as well, since it was on account of him that many of the Jews were deserting and were believing in Jesus. (John 12: 1-11) Reflection Whoa! What? There was a plot to kill Lazarus, too? The man who was dead already once but raised by Jesus? I did not know this! Most of our reading today from John 12 is the story of Mary Anointing Jesus (v. 1-8) and I'll admit I kind of skimmed through it. Then I realized I was to continue on through v. 11. So, I kept reading and came upon a bit of information I don't really recall: The Plot to Kill Lazarus!? I admit I read those last few verses again just to be sure. I will also admit I then looked at the margin notes in my Bible because, when uncertain, always try to learn more. Here is what I read, "This brief passage about the plot to kill Lazarus is found only in this Gospel. It links the plot to the one that began to be hatched against Jesus after he raised Lazarus from the dead (11: 45-57). So, of course, I then backtracked into John 11 and reread the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and this time especially noticed the chief priests and Pharisees just beginning their plan to put Jesus to death starting with finding him and arresting him. On to John 12, fast forward over the story of Mary and the jar of costly perfume again, and we see the the plotting to kill net widening to Lazarus. And why? Because a great crowd of the Jews learned Jesus was around and they came not only because of Jesus but also to see Lazarus whom he had raised from the dead. (v. 9) Those crowds were deserting the chief priests and Pharisees and believing in Jesus instead. So they realized they not only needed to get rid of Jesus but also Lazarus. And now I have gone on much longer in a GROW Time devotion than usual. What can we take away from this Whoa! What? reflection? Keep your eyes open for new bits of God's word you may not have noticed before. Always try to learn more. I learned to be a Lazarus - a person Jesus has given new life to and a way Jesus is seen in the world. We each may not draw crowds or become the target of a plot to be stopped. We only hope to love and lead others to believe. -- Ruth Gates Prayer Dear God, open our eyes to things we have missed before. Open our hearts to learn more. May we be something others see to help them know your love and believe. Amen Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Holy Week brings the liturgical and biblical past into the present.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Authors
Anyone is welcome to contribute! If you'd like to write for us, please e-mail [email protected] Email
Get our daily devotions delivered to your e-mail box each day by signing up below:
Archives
May 2022
Subscribe |