Saturday in Week 7 of Pentecost (Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany)
Mary, Martha and Lazarus of Bethany were disciples with whom Jesus had a special bond of love and friendship. John's Gospel records that "Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" (John 11:15). On one occasion Martha welcomed Jesus into their home for a meal. While she did all the work, Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to his Word and was commended by Jesus for choosing the "good portion which will not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:38-42). When their brother Lazarus died, Jesus spoke to Martha this beautiful Gospel promise: "I am the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live" (John 11:25-27). Ironically, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, it made Jesus' enemies more determined than ever to kill him (John 11:39-54). Six days before Jesus was crucified, Mary anointed his feet with a very expensive fragrant oil and wiped them with her hair, not knowing at the time that she was doing it in preparation for Jesus' burial (John 12:1-8; Mt 26:6-13). [From "Commemorations Biographies," Lutheran Service Book, LCMS Commission on Worship]
Daily readings
Numbers 24:12-25 Romans 8:18-25 Matthew 22:23-40The second two passages above deal with the resurrection of the dead. This is the great hope of all Christians, that one day we will be raised again in glorified bodies, bodies that never age or get sick or die. I have encountered some Christians who denied this! They were of the opinion that we become "spirit beings" after death and they did not see any reason for having a body after that. I was amazed and dismayed at their lack of biblical knowledge. The resurrection of our bodies is the
whole point of Christianity! We are beings both physical and spiritual, without our bodies we are incomplete, just as without our spirits we are not really alive. As St. Paul says
"but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." The full adoption as sons takes place when our actual bodies are redeemed!
Amen.