Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Devotional: August 1st

John 12:1-19

The different aspects of worship are represented in the touching scene described in vv. 1-3. We see the presence of the Lord, communion, witness, holy service and praise. This is not a feast in Lazarus’ honour; the Lord Jesus is at the centre of this meeting: "There they made him a supper". The only qualification Lazarus has for being at the table with Him is that he is described as having been a dead man who received new life. This is the case with all the redeemed. This man never says anything or does anything; he is simply there alive and his very presence is sufficient to show what the Lord has done for him. Martha serves and here that is perfectly in order (in contrast with Luke 10:40). Finally Mary pours out the "very costly" perfume which touches the Saviour’s heart and also fills the house, a picture of the adoration which the redeemed gratefully express when they come together. The unbeliever has nothing but scorn for such worship – basically because he honours another god – money (v. 6).

V.10 shows Lazarus associated with the Lord Jesus as an object of men’s hatred.

Then we have a description of the triumphal entry of the King of Israel into His city of Jerusalem, preceded by the short-lived reputation He had earned because of the great miracle He had just performed.