In our story today, a couple of years has passed and now we are winding down the ministry of Jesus. Jesus is back in Bethany and had brought Lazarus back to life and now Lazarus, Mary, and Martha are throwing Jesus a party. Lazarus is reclining with Jesus, Martha is again working the kitchen, and Mary again is at the feet of Jesus. But what Mary does is cultural taboo.
When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house.
James 4:1–12 (NLT): What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.
This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” 20 He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”“No,” he replied.“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”“No.” 22 “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”
23 John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah: “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the LORD’s coming!’ ”
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
ἀγάπη – agapē is a fascinating word in our New Testament. It is a love like no other. You see Phileo, from the root word philos is a firmly Greek word that means for one to feel affection for. Eros is another firmly Greek word that means romantic physical attraction. Agape is unique as it is a Hellenized Hebrew word, a Hebrew word the Greek began to use. It’s Aramaic!
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. 46 When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!
Reeds were an important part of Ancient Near Eastern life. Reeds were used by every culture for a variety of purposes. Often woven together, the long leaves were used for baskets, making drainpipes, musical instruments, and walking sticks. They were also used to make paper and rope. At the crucifixion of Jesus, a sponge was put on a long reed and was offered to Him.
Fault Lines and Restoration