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"Then Jesus six
days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was
which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they
made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of
them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of
ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of
Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was
filled with the odour of the ointment.
Then saith one
of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should
betray him, why was not this ointment sold for three hundred
pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared
for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and
bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone:
against the day of my burying hath she kept this. For the poor
always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."
John 12:1-8
LESSON 1:
Jesus was balanced!
In everything He
did.
Even when it
comes to the subject of this short Text in John 12, eating,
Jesus was balanced.
Our Lord knew how
to abstain from food, doing so for forty days at the beginning
of His Ministry.
Yet He also knew
how to enjoy food, so much that some called Him a glutton! They
were liars! Jesus was not a glutton. But He did often eat ...
with others in sweet and holy fellowship.
Our Text here is
introducing one of those meals.
"Then Jesus six days before the passover
came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he
raised from the dead." John 12:1
This event, this
supper, was about a week before Jesus died on Calvary.
He created the
world in six days, making possible our very ability to eat. And
now, six days before His atonement for that world, He Himself
will eat a meal.
The noun "passover"
is spelled "pascha" and actually is related to the Greek verb
"to suffer," which is spelled "pascho."
Jesus' vicarious
suffering and death was the Fulfillment of all that passover
suggests! He is our Passover! That's exactly what Paul says in
1st Corinthians 5:7. "For even Christ our
passover is sacrificed for us."
"Bethany" means
"house of dates," perhaps named for the fruit trees that grew
there in abundance. But to the Lord "Bethany" was more than
that. It was "the town of Lazarus and Mary and her sister
Martha." John 11:1 says so. "Now a certain
man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town
of Mary and her sister Martha."
It seems that our
great God knows cities by the names and numbers of His people
who live there! He would even have spared Sodom had more
righteous people been in her midst. What about America?
"Lazarus" means
"whom God helps." He sure lived up to his name's implications!
This Lazarus, brother to Mary and Martha, is mentioned by name
11 times in Scripture ... all in the Gospel of John. His name is
also a form of the Hebrew name Eleazar.
Now if you want
to read an interesting phrase, here it is:
"Lazarus, which had been dead!"
You just don't
read of a lot of people, now living, who "had been dead."
Dead people just
could not stay that way around Jesus!
This included
Lazarus.
We have three
Scriptural accounts of Jesus raising the dead. There was the
little twelve year old girl. Then the son of the widow of Nain.
Plus Lazarus. The little girl was only dead a few hours. The
grown young man nearly a day. But Lazarus, four days!
Of course we old
sinners were spiritually dead, until Jesus saved us. See
Ephesians 2:1 for Paul's precise words.
But Lazarus was
physically dead!
If our great God
can raise the dead, He can do anything!
I want to go on
record today. With all my heart I believe the miracles Jesus
performed were literal and exact events, just like the Bible
says. He walked on water. He fed multitudes. He arose from the
grave!
This is the Jesus
Who came to the humble home in Bethany.
And, naturally,
His hosts wanted to feed Him a meal.
That's what we're
going to study, Lord willing, that meal.
Herein we shall
find some principles to help us ... even as we eat too!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 2, VERSE 2:
According to the manners and customs
of Jesus' day, guests in one's home were always served a meal!
Not to do so was highly improper, a real insult in fact.
Therefore when
Jesus entered the home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and
Martha, a meal or perhaps even a feast would certainly have been
forthcoming.
So, verse John
12:2 tells us: "There they made him a
supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat
at the table with him."
The verb "made"
is just lovely. "Poieo" of course does mean to make, but in this
sense: to form or fashion as an artist with his sculpture or a
poet with his poem. Really, our English words "poet" and "poem"
are both derived from "poieo." The 3rd person plural properties
of "poieo" here indicate that all three family members, Lazarus
and Martha and Mary, likely had some part in preparing the meal.
They all were in favor of feeding the Lord a nourishing meal.
The meal served
Jesus was "supper." In Greek "deipnon" means the main meal of
the day, usually served in the evening. Jesus perhaps had not
eaten all day long.
Then Martha, in
keeping with her personality, was in charge of the actual
organization and preparation of the food. Martha "served." And "diakoneo"
means "to wait upon someone as a slave." To attend their needs.
To wait tables! And THIS is the exact word that gives us the New
Testament concept of deacons! You can actually see "deacon" in "diakoneo."
The "i" becomes an "e" and the "k" becomes a "c" as the word
assimilates into English. That this "service" is Martha's
habitual lifestyle is indicated by the Holy Spirit's word
choice. He uses the imperfect tense. That pictures verb action
that began in the past, but has lasting consequences. It still
lives in the hearts of people. Martha indeed was a server!
Conversely,
Lazarus was not intimately involved in the details of the meal,
the mechanics of it. Instead, he "sat at the table" with Jesus.
This compound
verb, "sunanakeimai," takes the root "keimai" which means "to
lie outstretched." The prefixes, both "sun" and "ana," intensify
the meaning and suggest group activity that has been repeated
earlier. These folks did not sit in padded comfortable table
chairs to eat. They reclined on one side, leaning on their
elbow, eating with the other hand.
Notice that
Lazarus was one among many who were at the table. "One" is the
Greek "heis," a primary numeral. Maybe the disciples were all
there. We know some of them were. What fellowship would have
been enjoyed that day!
We find 9 times "sunanakeimai"
in the New Testament. All of them include Jesus except the death
story of John the Baptist. I am here including the
Lord's parables in this number as well.
What a group we
have here. Godly men and women ready to both nourish their
physical bodies ... and their spiritual natures too!
With whom one
eats is important.
So much so that
Paul at times absolutely forbade his Corinthian converts to eat
with some folks! "But now I have written
unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a
brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner;
with such an one no not
to eat." That's 1st Corinthians 5:11.
Anyone hungry?
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 3, VERSE 3:
The
Lord's Presence evokes many
responses.
One evening at
supper in Bethany our Lord experienced at least three of them.
One each came from Lazarus, Martha and Mary, the siblings.
For example:
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of
spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and
wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the
odour of the ointment." John 12:3
The word "pound"
is spelled "litra" and anciently was a measure of capacity for
grain. In Jesus' world it represented a sum of money. In
everyday terminology the Disciples would have recognized a
"pound" as worth about 100 shekels! We are talking about quite a
sizeable amount of cash here.
"Ointment" is "muron"
and yields the Bible word "myrrh." It was a form of perfumed
oil. Myrrh is most often Scripturally associated with death. Did
Mary see something everyone else had missed, at least so far?
"Spikenard" is
represented by two words. "Nardos" suggests "the head or spike
of a fragrant plant which yields a juice of delicious odour
which the ancients used in the preparation of one of their most
precious perfumes." And "pistikos" means something like "pure"
or "geniune." It is derived from "pistis," the word for
faithful! This perfume was the real product! Nothing
watered-down here!
Very costly, "politumos,"
means of "many" or "much" ("polus") ... of "value" ("time") in
Greek. It's a lovely word, further describing Mary's gift to
Jesus.
"Anointed" is "aleipho"
and means "to bathe with oil" or "to rub with oil." The "a"
prefix here simply is a particle of union.
Jesus' feet just
had to be beautiful! Based on Isaiah 52:7.
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good
tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto
Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Jesus fulfilled this commission
without measure. Mary, even at supper mind you, worshipped the
Saviour.
Additionally Mary
"wiped" His feet with her hair. "Ekmasso" means "to handle or
squeeze." The prefix "ek" means "off." Mary poured the precious
ointment on Jesus, then carefully rubbed it until all was gone,
absorbed.
Now remember that
a woman's hair is her glory according to Paul in 1st Corinthians
11. Here Mary submits her "glory" to Jesus' greater Glory! Again
I remind you, this is done at a meal!
The home or
"house" (in Greek = "oikia") was filled ("pleroo") with the
sweet smell! This verb is an indicative aorist passive. Loving
Jesus is a fragrant activity anytime!
"Odor" is "osme,"
being built upon the root verb "ozo," to scent, to cause an odor
... good or bad. Only 5 texts in the New Testament use this
word.
So far ... at
supper ... Lazarus is sitting, thinking, reflecting. Martha is
working, busily serving as usual. And Mary is worshipping!
In none of these
cases is food the central thought on anyone's mind. Jesus is!
Maybe that's a hint on how we are to eat yet today!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 4:
In John 12:1-8 we see Jesus eating
supper one evening. He is a Guest in the home of Martha, Mary
and Lazarus.
That Text reveals
some lovely facts.
Ideas about
mealtimes!
The three main
people we have observed at this meal, this meal with Jesus, have
responded differently. Each has used his or her mealtime to
reflect on some different aspect of knowing Jesus, of loving and
worshipping Him!
Martha served.
Lazarus sat and
talked.
Mary fell at His
feet and worshipped.
I believe their
three responses reflect the greatest mealtime needs in existence
today.
That should not
surprise us. The Word of God is filled with timeless principles
from its lovely accounts, again and again!
Martha's service
should remind us that Jesus saved us to glorify God! An old
preacher from my childhood loved to say, "We are saved to
serve!"
How can we today
use our mealtimes to serve the Lord? Memorize a verse of
Scripture while you eat. Listen to a radio broadcast that
preaches the Word. Read a chapter from your Bible. Pray for a
loved one. All these things can be done as we munch and chew and
swallow. That is, if we remove all distractions ... television
included!
Martha's activity
centers on the present. The time being right now. Jesus had some
immediate needs and she planned to meet them!
Think of
mealtimes where you live. In every case, breakfast or lunch or
supper, preparation and serving is essential. Why can't Dad
help Mom prepare the meal? Or clean up afterwards? With Sister
Norma now being confined to a wheelchair or to a single sofa
seat at home ... I have learned to serve. Or at least I'm trying
to learn. Every meal can be turned into a ministry! I bought her
some little plates that say "I love you" on them. I try to use
them each day I'm home. And she gets the message! If everyone
who comes to the table had a servant's heart, everything would
not fall upon one person's shoulders!
Martha, the name,
is defined by an on-line etymology dictionary as: "feminine, a
proper name, from the Aramaic Maretha, literally meaning lady or
mistress. In turn from mar or mara meaning lord or master."
Interesting!
Martha "served"
the supper guests. The verb, as we saw earlier, is "diakoneo."
It means to wait tables! To be a domestic attendant!
Yet here the
server is definitely the one in charge! Next to Jesus I mean!
Her very name, Martha, means "master" and she is the mistress of
this meal's preparation!
Isn't that
exactly what Jesus earlier taught us? The servant will become
the lord! The lowly one will become the leader! The least will
become the greatest! In Mark 10:43 Jesus says:
"Whosoever will be great among you, shall
be your minister."
Mealtimes are
serving times!
Every lady has
known this for years. Maybe we all should learn it!
Next lesson we're
going to examine Lazarus and what he brought to the table, the
table with Jesus!
For just as
Martha's activity emphasized the present, Lazarus' activities
will emphasize the past!
Come again and
see what I mean.
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 5, VERSE 4:
Nowadays the traitor Judas is being
presented in a new and different light! He's currently being
called a hero by many. They base this false assumption on a new
"Gospel" that's been published.
One thing for
sure, Judas did not have John deceived!
I mean John the
Apostle, who writes:
"Then saith one of
his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should
betray him ...." John 12:4
Jesus in John
12:1-8 is enjoying a meal! And not only was Lazarus present,
loyal friend to Christ ... the "traitor" Judas was there
too! Everyone who eats supper with you might not love you! How
keenly aware Solomon was of this in Proverbs. "When
thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is
before thee: and put a knife to thy throat, if thou be
a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties:
for they are deceitful meat." Then,
"Eat thou not the bread of him that
hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: for
as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink,
saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee."
Proverbs 23:1-3 and 6-7
Jesus later
proves His Omniscience once again by reminding us of Judas.
"I speak not of you all: I know whom I
have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that
eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me."
John 13:18 has Judas in mind.
Yes, at table
with Jesus is both Lazarus His friend and Judas His enemy! You
simply can not trust everyone who eats a meal with you!
Preachers, you had best learn this lesson early in your ministry
too!
The verb "said"
(in Greek = "lego") is framed as a present indicative active and
suggests that Judas unashamedly voiced his opinion here, perhaps
repeating it several times!
A "disciple" is
just a "learner." The noun "mathetes" means a pupil or a student
... in contradistinction to "didaskalos," the teacher. It
derives from "manthano" or "matheo" meaning "to learn" or to
understand.
Sadly, "Judas"
means praise! It's a form of the name Jacob's fourth son was
given, "Judah." It is tragic when a person does not live up to
the high and holy meaning of his or her name.
"Iscariot" is
probably a designation of Judas' hometown. As is the case with
Mary Magdalene. Kerioth was a city in the south of
Judah's tribal allotment. See Joshua 15:25. It is believed to be
located about ten miles south of Hebron. The name means a "wall"
it is thought. Perhaps a military base was there located,
explaining the wall concept!
Further still,
Judas' father was named "Simon." This is a form of the Hebrew
name "Simeon," which means "to hear with the ear." Yet Judas was
as dead spiritually as he could be! He heard all those sermons
and parables and kind words Jesus uttered ... to no avail!
The verb "betray"
is presented here by the Holy Spirit as an infinitive, a present
tense one at that. Judas, though not yet negotiating with the
Pharisees and Scribes and Chief Priests, had disloyalty in his
heart already.
"Paradidomai"
means "to give" ("didomai") "over or alongside" ("para")
something or someone to another person or group! Judah handed
Jesus over to the enemy! The King James Version perfectly
captures the essence of the word here in this context ... to
"betray." Our word "betray" is derived from the Latin "tradere"
where "dare" means "to give" and "trans" means "over or across."
Judas was a
traitor, disloyal and unfaithful!
Today liberals
are of course trying to make him a hero, thereby turning evil
into good! Listen to Isaiah preach: "Woe
unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness
for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet,
and sweet for bitter!" Isaiah 5:20
All this negative
information accurately heaped on a man, a man who sits at table
with Jesus!
Here's a man who
"sops" (from the noun "psomion") with Jesus. A "sop" is a small
piece or a morsel of food, a fragment.
When you eat with
a group ... remember what you say!
Because, as
Solomon again warns us in another Text:
"Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the
rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the
voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter."
That includes mealtimes too! Ecclesiastes 10:20
Jesus knew how to
conduct Himself at table!
By studying Him,
our dear Lord, especially in this John 12 Passage, we can learn
much!
Pass the bread,
please!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 6, VERSE 5:
John chapter 12 begins with Jesus at
a meal, one in the house of Lazarus and his sisters. They lived
in Bethany.
Martha cooked
most of the food it seems. Lazarus, as men often do, just sat
and waited. Yet Lazarus' very presence evoked excitement and
curiosity! He had recently been dead for four days! But Jesus
raised him from the grave! Perhaps one could surmise that a good
topic of conversation at any meal would be the miracle working
power of God! That's surely what Lazarus represented!
Mary, worshipful
reverent Mary, was again at Jesus' feet, anointing and washing
them meaningfully.
So far at this
meal we have been exposed to Martha's service, to Lazarus'
testimony, then to Mary's worship!
Then Judas spoke!
"Why was not this ointment sold for three
hundred pence, and given to the poor?" John 12:5
The noun
ointment, "muron" in Greek, is derived from the word "myrrh."
It's the gum from a certain type of balsam tree. It's fragrant
like perfume. It possesses certain healing qualities and was
used for medicinal purposes too. It also can be used as a mild
anesthetic. Again it was used by the ancients to embalm dead
bodies. Then needless to say, it was expensive!
To "sell" means
"to dispose of as merchandise." The word is "piprasko" in Greek
and in all 9 New Testament occurrences it means only "to sell"
in a financial sense.
A "pence" or "denarion"
was the equivalent of a full day's wages in Jesus' day. The
perfume Mary shared and poured on Jesus was worth nearly a whole
year's labor!
The verb "given"
is "didomai" and means to grant, to allow, to permit, to
entrust, to pay ... as well as to give. It's in the passive
voice here. Someone would have to be in charge of the giving!
Money cannot place itself into a recipient's hands! Judas, of
course, would be the prime candidate. He was the treasurer!
"Ptochos," the
"poor," actually indicates those in the lowest of all financial
levels! Abjectly poor! Poverty stricken!
Judas has just
revealed to us his value system! The "poor" he held in such high
esteem ... that Jesus did not even place on the scale! If not
that, then his motives are really suspect! Of course John is
about to explain all that to us in the very next verse. There of
Judas we are told: "He was a thief, and
had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12:6
Think of that!
Eating with Jesus
... yet still scheming and deceptively planning one's next
robbery!
At table,
remember this. False motives and untrue statements may be made!
Discernment is necessary!
Beware!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 7, VERSE 6:
John the Disciple of Jesus wrote
five Books in the Bible. At least that's the literal
Bible-believer's view. The Gospel of John, the three short
Epistles bearing his name, then the Book of Revelation must be
included in his corpus.
Often in these
Texts John stops to explain some unusual statement that's been
made. His personal yet fully inspired comments are often set
apart by parentheses. For example: "When
therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus
made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus
himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and
departed again into Galilee." John 4:1-3
At other times
John just shares the Truth in a personal way.
"And there are also many other things
which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one,
I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books
that should be written. Amen." John 21:25
In John 12, where
Jesus is enjoying a meal in the home of Martha and Mary and
Lazarus, Judas the so-called Disciple became sort of a "fly in
the ointment." See Ecclesiastes 10:1.
"Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a
stinking savour."
This could happen
at any meal!
And Jesus handled
the situation beautifully, perfectly!
Our Lord, at
table and while eating, fellowships with the resurrected
Lazarus, appreciates Martha's service and accepts Mary's
adoration!
Then, upon Judas'
verbal attacks, Jesus defends Mary!
John, again at
table, actually sets Judas' rude comments in perspective. The
beloved Apostle adds concerning Judas:
"This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he
was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein."
John 12:6
Judas had
questioned Mary's use of a perfumed ointment, lavishly poured
upon Jesus' feet! It was expensive indeed! Yet Jesus is worth it
all ... then some! Judas again: "Why was
not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the
poor?"
Notice with me
that HERE John again editorializes. He explains, being led of
the Holy Spirit.
Judas did not
"care" for the poor. The verb is "melo" and means to have an
interest in someone, to be concerned about them. Only found 10
times in the whole New Testament, "melo" is most often used in
the Gospels. It is found only twice in Paul and once in Peter's
work. My favorite is: "Casting all your
care upon Him; for He CARETH for you." 1st Peter
5:7
The noun "thief"
is "kleptes" as in the English word "kleptomaniac." It indicates
a person who is an embezzler or a pilferer, one who steals.
The verb "had" is
represented by "echo" and means "to hold onto" something! Judas
was not about to resign his position!
The noun "bag" is
interesting. It means a small receptacle for a mouth-piece for a
musical instrument, a storage box or bag. "Glossokomon" is the
word. "Glossa" means tongue. "Kosmos" means that which is
orderly or arranged properly. The term eventually came to mean
just "a money bag." Judas was apparently at heart interested
only in personal gain!
The verb "bare"
is "bastazo" and has the idea of carrying a load! The time sense
of our word here is one of action completed in the past ... yet
possessing lasting results.
The point of
today's lesson ... even at mealtimes be prepared to deal with
possible conflict, greed and occasional unpleasant conditions!
They will occur!
But do you notice
this? Also at mealtime we learned about the motives and thoughts
of Judas the traitor!
Secrets are often
shared at table, helpful hints on living for God!
Next time you
have a meal, acknowledge the presence of Jesus through the
precious Holy Spirit in your midst!
Then do a little
serving and worshipping and fellowshipping yourself ... with our
dear Lord! And don't be surprised if your table dedication
yields a "nugget" or two of helpful information, information on
how to better live for God or more clearly understand His Word!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 8, VERSE 7:
At one single meal, near the end of
Jesus' earthly life, He was served and then worshipped ... but
then criticized!
At least one of
His followers was criticized ... for pouring expensive perfume
all over His feet thus anointing Him for future burial!
But, at that same
blessed meal, Jesus defended that lowly worshipper!
Yes, Mary was
protected by the Saviour she adored so much!
Jesus quipped to
Judas the criticizer: "Let her alone:
against the day of my burying hath she kept this." John
12:7
Judas, being the
group treasurer, thought he knew a better use for that costly
fragrance! He felt, then asked: "Why was
not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the
poor?" John 12:5
But his real
motives were exposed by the Holy Spirit of God through John's
exposition: "This Judas said, not that he
cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag,
and bare what was put therein." John 12:6
Jesus will always stand with the one
who loves Him and adores Him and falls at His Feet!
God promised,
back in 1st Samuel 2:30, "But now the LORD
saith, them that honour
me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be
lightly esteemed."
Jesus, the
Defender!
"Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept
this."
The words "let
her alone" are lovely! "Aphimei" means "to send" ("hiemi" in
Greek) "away" ("apo" in Greek). In other words, "Get you out of
here, Judas!" This is an imperative too, issuing an order from
Jesus!
I wonder how many
times, when the devil is harassing us as God's little children,
does our great High Priest in Heaven say to the enemy: "Let him
alone! Let her alone! Go away, you old devil!"
The preposition
"against" is spelled "eis" and literally means "into" or "upon"
as well as "against." Mary actually saw the coming death of
Jesus with its subsequent burial and she was preparing Him in
advance! She was light years ahead of some of the disciples in
her discernment!
The noun for
"burial" is a compound word. "Entaphiasmos" links "taphos"
(meaning "grave") and "en" (meaning "in, at or upon"). One can
readily see how this term means burial.
Then the verb
"kept" is the key to it all I think!
"Tereo" means "to
guard" or "to keep under guard" or "to keep in custody!" It
appears that Mary had been saving a long time to to buy this
ointment, then keeping or saving or protecting it for quite a
while too ... just for this purpose, worshipping Jesus! She
honored our Lord particularly in view of His soon coming
Sacrificial Death on the Cross!
And her
opportunity to do this came ... at a meal!
Glory to God!
If I am reading
our Text rightly, this is one of the greatest acts of worship
rendered to Jesus in all the Bible!
And again I
simply remind you, it happened at the supper table!
Lord, help us to
eat better!
Spiritually so!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 9, VERSE 8:
The Bible does advocate caring for
the poor.
The fatherless
and orphans are particularly mentioned 42 times in Scripture.
Then the widows are named as a group another 80 times or so.
Their first Bible appearance when grouped together gives us the
essence of God's instruction on their behalf.
"Ye shall not afflict any widow, or
fatherless child." Exodus 22:22
And the "poor" of
the land are important as well. Again and again God provides for
them, instructing His people to do the same, even including the
produce of their vineyards and farms! This verse is typical:
"And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard,
neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard;
thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the
LORD your God." Leviticus 19:10
So understand,
Jesus cared for poor folks!
Yet one day, in
John 12:1-8, Jesus defended Mary of Bethany ... even in the face
of criticism concerning the poor, not caring for them properly!
Here's the heart
of the conversation. It occurs at the supper table one night in
the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Jesus' disciples were
present too. Apparently during the meal ...
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of
spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and
wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the
odour of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas
Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, why was
not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the
poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because
he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying
hath she kept this. For the poor always ye have with you; but me
ye have not always." John 12:3-8
"Give that vast
wealth to the poor," yelled Judas. Not because he cared for the
impoverished, but because he had control of discretionary
spending among the Twelve! He was the treasurer! He wanted to
either steal or squander the cash, not give it away to anyone!
Yes, the "poor"
are a worthy cause. After all, verses like Proverbs 19:17 do
say: "He that hath pity upon the poor
lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay
him again."
But Jesus at this
table in Bethany set some priorities!
"Yes, care for
the poor," the Lord seems to be asserting. "But when faced with
the choice of worshipping God or helping the poor ... put God
first, and then you will be even better equipped to help the
needy!"
Read John 12:8
with me please. Jesus is talking: "For the
poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always."
Jesus seems to be
implying: "Help the poor after I have been crucified, buried and
raised again! After I've ascended to Heaven and sit on My
Father's right Hand!"
"But for now,"
Christ implied to those dinner guests, "worship Me at any cost!
And she who has done so will be remembered and honored forever!"
Do notice that
the word Jesus used for "poor" is "ptochos" and means those who
are reduced to begging! Extreme poverty! Abjectly needy!
The adverb
"always" is interesting, even if not the verse's main word. "Pantote"
fuses together "pas" ... meaning all, then "hos" ... meaning who
or which, plus "hote" ... meaning when or soon! Put them
together: "at every time," or "at all whens!"
Now some folks
are poor through no fault of their own! Others due to their own
laziness or due to some reversal of circumstances or just due to
the inherent sin in hearts of men and women ... not counting the
sheer providence of God, poor people will always live on this
earth. That's certain! Jesus just said so! The "war" on poverty
will not be won until our dear Lord returns!
Yes, the poor
will always be here!
"For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not
always."
Next, the verb
"have" translates "echo" and means "to hold on to." This might
imply that poverty exists partly because of man's ways. His
greed and selfishness!
But Jesus, never
selfish I might remind you, suggests here that His Presence on
earth should outweigh any immediate or displacing concern for
poor folks. At least in Mary's day, until Calvary had been
experienced by the Lord! The Cross where He died to save
sinners, where He made redemption possible!
Jesus also
considered this as a "given" fact: His followers "held" Him in
the highest of esteem, in reverence! They of course would
worship and adore and praise Him, lavishing upon Him whatever
they possessed in order to show His Worth!
The word picture
Jesus has drawn here looks like this. The poor are important.
Care for them. But I am more important. Calvary is fundamental!
Care for your Salvation first ... then you will be more
concerned yet for the poor!
Be saved, born
again from above, washed in the Blood of the Lamb ... and you
will love the poor! You will even develop a poverty of spirit!
"Blessed are the poor in spirit:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
Better yet folks,
read with me this "priority" setting verse:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto
you." Matthew 6:33
Jesus first!
Then whomever
else in order, including the poor!
And just WHERE
was this lesson learned, freshly falling from the Lips of the
Saviour?
At the supper
table one night at Bethany!
Another spiritual
meal in the ministry of Jesus!
Surely Paul had
such in mind when in 1st Corinthians 10:31 he wrote:
"Whether therefore
ye eat, or drink,
or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
Amen!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 10, SPIRITUAL
MEALS TODAY:
The emphasis in
this whole Text, John 12:1-8, is at least partly the fact that
Jesus always preached or taught or worked some type of miracle
... or else somehow loved and cared for others, even while He
was at the table, taking food into His body!
Always!
This is His
regular pattern, again and again throughout the Gospels!
He is in fact
going to eat yet another meal with us, in the future, at the
Marriage Supper of the Lamb! Revelation 19:9 reminds us:
"Blessed are they which are called
unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." And even there His
very Presence will bear tremendous spiritual import!
If our Saviour
and Lord so turned meals into opportunities to teach His Word or
otherwise focus on the Scriptures, should we not do the same?
I know of a man,
both a Dad and Husband, who planned the spiritual side of each
meal in his home! He designed little place mats for each family
member and wrote Bible questions or Scriptural facts on them.
These items became points of instruction and conversation at
each meal that day! This Dad was a spiritual leader! This man
was truly the right kind of husband to his wife!
A family might
memorize a new verse each day, or each week for that matter ...
at mealtimes I mean!
Or the Pastor's
most recent sermon could be discussed, re-emphasizing its main
truths at lunch or supper each Monday! What a way to teach the
Word!
Sister Norma and
I once did this. We studied a new Book of Scripture each month,
using mealtimes to discuss our findings! In fact, this month,
whether home or on the road, I am going to do that again ...
then share with my wife what the Lord is teaching me! The Book
of Numbers, in case you're wondering!
Spiritual meals!
That overrules
television!
Or each family
member heading to his own place to eat!
It conversely
encourages togetherness at home!
I have arrived at
these conclusions mostly from our Text here in John, watching
Jesus closely throughout His earthly life.
But Moses has
something to add to our discussion too. When teaching our
children, the lawgiver adds: "And these
words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and
shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when
thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou
risest up." I say Moses, but really it was the Lord Who
commanded this in Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
If we are to
discuss and exalt and study the Bible ... then teach it to our
loved ones at these four times; when sitting at home, when
traveling, at bedtime, then again each morning ... surely that
includes mealtimes!
Recalling a verse
I mentioned yesterday, "Whether therefore
ye eat, or drink,
or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
I highlighted the
words "eating and drinking" by capitalizing them. Those times
of each day are also to be utilized for God's Glory!
Anyone going to
try it?
I challenge you!
In fact, I would
love to "provoke" someone into this pattern of life!
Provoke?
Yes!
"And let us consider one another to
provoke unto love and to good works." Hebrews 10:24
Amen!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 11, SUMMARY AND
ENDING NOTES:
Perhaps one of
the the greatest Bible examples of mealtime hospitality is found
in the life of Abraham, in Genesis 18:1-8.
"And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he
sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his
eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he
saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed
himself toward the ground, and said, My Lord, if now I have
found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy
servant: Let a little
water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest
yourselves under the tree and I will fetch a morsel of bread,
and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for
therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So
do, as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto
Sarah, and said, Make
ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make
cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht
a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he
hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf
which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by
them under the tree, and they did eat." What a
spiritual meal that must have been! Abraham and the Lord!
Here are some
groups not normally invited to a first century meal: women,
children, servants and slaves, the sick, the poor and the
disabled! Jesus it appears welcomed them all!
In Roman homes,
those typical to Jesus' world, access to meals and banquets was
quite easy! Often uninvited guests slipped into the home! Some
of this was accepted gladly, giving the host an opportunity to
share unreturned hospitality!
Jesus was not
always the Host at meals in which He participated. Often He was
the invited Guest!
In Luke 19
Zacchaeus the tax collector is linked to Abraham when the former
offered Jesus hospitality at his home, including food and drink!
"And Jesus said unto Zacchaeus, This day
is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son
of Abraham." Maybe both their names appear in this verse
because both shared lavish hospitality with the Lord!
As soon as the
tax collectors Matthew and Zacchaeus were saved, they prepared a
meal for Jesus, fellowshipping with Him throughout the
festivities!
Jesus' Disciples
it seems were included in many a banquet or delicious meal
simply because they were identified with His Name! Come to think
of it, I am going to a banquet some day, a Marriage Supper,
because I am linked to Jesus as well! Solidarity with Jesus,
saved by His Grace!
Jesus
fellowshipped with Mary, Martha and Lazarus over dinner! And
Matthew too! And as already mentioned He had a meal with
Zacchaeus! Plus the two going to Emmaus the Day of our Lord's
Resurrection shared a meal with the Lord! And the Disciples, how
many times? Including that seaside breakfast just prior to the
Ascension!
Jesus ate in
mixed company, men and women together!
Jesus used meals
for celebration!
Jesus used
different foods as symbols for spiritual truth!
Jesus often mixed
eating with other good deeds; healing the sick, teaching the
eager, nurturing the discouraged!
Jesus used meals
to establish tradition, holy tradition at that! The Lord's
Supper!
Jesus' presence
at meals illustrated the fact that preparation and work were
necessary to entertain, especially the most illustrious Guest of
all history!
Jesus always
seemed to elevate the physical aspect of eating, giving it a
spiritual dimension.
Study the "food
events" in the life of Jesus. They are numerous! Just count the
times "bread" and "eat" and "house" and "supper" are mentioned
in association with our Lord. The numbers will surprise you!
Did you ever
think of the frequency of times Ecclesiastes mentions food?
There is a whole philosophy of eating in that inspired little
Book of Wisdom.
Think each time
you eat meat that blood had to be shed to place that food on
your table! No, I am not saying that fried chicken or a baked
meal loaf picture Jesus in any specific way. But the blood those
animals gave is a factual illustration of Leviticus 17:11 and
14. "For the life of the flesh is
in the blood."
The Rechabites of
Jeremiah 35 and the Nazarites of the New Testament both followed
specific mealtime guides, with God's blessing too!
Eating and
drinking are an act of faith!
Jesus in our John
12:1-8 Text did NOT say to ignore the poor. He believed in
hospitality and practiced it again and again. But Judas' bitter
spirit was trying to ignore the adoration due our Saviour! In
that light, care for the poor ... after Jesus has been
properly exalted and worshipped!
Greeks and Romans
typically ate three meals a day. While the Jews usually just ate
two.
Sociologists and
anthropologists often speak of the "language" of meals!
The human "mouth"
is so important at meals. It ingests food and drink and expels
words of conversation! Both aspects need to be controlled!
Often the hands
were washed several times during a meal! I remember in Latin
class in high school at our annual "banquet" little water dishes
called "finger bowls" were used repeatedly during the meal! The
Pharisees got a little upset with Jesus because He did not
conform to all their little "hand washing" standards!
In Bible days
food provision and preparation and consumption were far more
than just issues of nutrition!
In Jesus' day
also seat maps were drawn up by hosts to depict the exact
location for each guest! From the top down, mealtime
participants were placed in seats of more to less honor!
Slaves always ate
standing!
History teaches
us the the early first century Church held "love meals" or
"agape feasts" in which the poorer saints were fed as well as
the more wealthy ones. At least that was the way it was designed
to function! This was abrogated in Corinth! There some overate
and others were ignored it appears. "For
in eating every one taketh before other his own supper:
and one is hungry, and another is drunken." 1st
Corinthians 11:21
John Wesley
greatly emphasized such "spiritual meals" during his days of
ministry. During those special suppers, hymns were sung and
Scripture was read and testimonies were shared, all to enhance
the faith of those present ... faith in Jesus!
Today we've
mostly shared just fragments of information ... but I trust this
article has been helpful in your study of our Text.
May the Lord
through John 12:1-8 impact our mealtimes too!
Surely being more
"spiritually minded" would impact our behaviour at breakfast,
lunch and supper! "For to be carnally
minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is
life and peace." Romans 8:6
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
OUR PRAYER IS THAT THIS
STUDY OF "JESUS AT TABLE" WILL IMPACT US ALL ... CREATING WITHIN
A DESIRE TO MAKE OUR SUPPERS MORE SPIRITUAL THAN EVER!
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