“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.” – John 12:1-2
John 12 buries the lead. Or perhaps it is more accurate to say that John 12 resurrects the lead without any fanfare. The story in John 12:1-8 is focused on Mary’s gift of love (I highly encourage you to read John 12:1-8). And yet, in the beginning of the story, a miracle is treated as a footnote.
“Lazarus (whom had been raised from the dead) was at the table with him”
How are there not a thousand questions about the resurrected man at the table?
- What does he remember from his time being dead?
- How did it feel to be resurrected?
- Is he incredibly hungry after being dead for four days?
- Did resurrection affect his appetite?
If Lazarus’ sisters were wondering any of these questions, then it seems they were much too polite to ask. The text moves right on by and if we didn’t pause, we’d miss the miracle that is right before us. Isn’t this often the case?
There are miracles happening in our world, in our community, and in our homes every day. The table of Christ is in of itself, a miracle.
We pray for the miraculous and we watch the heavens for a sign, yet sometimes the miracle is as close as the table we gather around.
This is more than, “stop and smell the roses” this is: be mindful for the work of God is right before you; be encouraged for the wonder of God is within you; be worshipful for the power of God is closer than you know. There’s no doubt that Mary’s gift of love in this story is inspired by the work of God in her resurrected brother. How might we respond if we saw the presence, wonder, and power of God right before us? Let us dare to look for the miracles that are among us.
