April 29, 2001
John 12:1-11

Four Heroes of the Faith

Introduction: Most people enjoy getting together for supper. We enjoy eating in our homes, in restaurants and at the church. There are many stories about Jesus that involve suppers, and here is another one. Lazarus has just been raised from the dead, and maybe this is a celebration supper for Lazarus, and in honor of Jesus. Today I would like to comment on four people at this feast, and how they are examples to us about living the Christian life:

I. Lazarus and Simon the Leper.

A. Simon is not mentioned here in John, but the parallel passages in Matthew 26, and Mark 14 tell us that the supper was held at Simon's house.

B. We don't know anything at all about Simon, except that he had been a leper. Obviously he was no longer a leper, because he had a house and was having guests. (See the law for lepers in Leviticus 13:45-46).

C. Lazarus and Simon had this in common: they had both experienced the power of Jesus to heal even the deadliest of diseases. Job and the man born blind, and healed by Jesus are similar examples. They did not choose to be ill, but God allowed them to be ill, and then God used them to manifest His power to the world.

D. Every time a Christian gets sick, he/she has an opportunity to make a mark for God. It may be painful, unpleasant, and even lead to death. But it is an opportunity to be faithful, and thus be a witness to family, friends and community.

II. Martha

A. Martha was famous for using her time, talents and hard work to serve Christ (Luke 10:38-42). She wasn't always gracious about it! When you are hot and sweaty and tired you can get irritable and impatient! But she had strong faith (John 11:20-27).

B. God has called all Christians to be like Martha. Find out your talents, your abilities, your spiritual gifts, your finances, your connections, your personality, and so on. And commit yourself to use all you have to influence the world for Jesus Christ. In Luke 21:1-4, the poor widow gave God all she had. That's what we should give, too.

III. Mary

A. As Martha was famous for hard work, Mary was already famous for loving to sit at Jesus' feet (Luke 10:38-32). She was more emotional and passionate than Martha, and she openly expressed her devotion, even in ways that shocked people around her.

B. Our emotions belong to God, as well as our service. We are all different. If God has made you a less emotional person, that's OK. But if God has made you a very emotional person, He is willing to accept your emotion as a gift to Him. God has allowed us to have a variety of denominations, largely because we are all so different emotionally. Shouting Pentecostal Holy Rollers and Coldly Logical Theological Presbyterians would be uncomfortable in one another's worship services. But they are both loved by God, and should be loved by one another.

C. Mary, like Martha, is an example of willingness to give all to the Lord. Martha gave her physical service and hard work. Mary here gives a bottle of perfume worth a year's wages for the common working man -- $25,000 in today's currency. She was criticized for her gift, but Jesus commended her, because it was a gift of love. We need people who can give to the Lord's work for the right reasons.

Conclusion: Simon the Leper, Lazarus, Martha and Mary, are all examples to you and me about how to live the Christian life. But before we close, please notice the graciousness of Jesus in accepting all these people. He healed and received Simon the Leper. He raised Lazarus from death. He accepted Martha's hard work. He graciously allowed Mary to pour perfume all over Him and dry it off with her hair! Whoever you are, however small or large your gift may be to Jesus, He will graciously receive you and your gift. Amen.