A Christ-centred Home

by Toms, A. F. | Category: Family Life | Nov 1992

The Lord Jesus was always welcome in the home at Bethany. Its hospitality must have been a great comfort to Him throughout the years of His itinerant ministry, and particularly as the anguish of Calvary drew near.

John describes for us an occasion when the Lord Jesus came to Bethany only six days before His death, and he says "they made Him a supper there:

and Martha served" (John 12:2). She had learned her lesson by this time. On an earlier occasion she had become flustered and she blamed her sister for not helping her sufficiently. But this time she went about her work quietly and without anxiety, and nothing marred the occasion.

Martha served and Lazarus sat at the meal with the Lord Jesus along with the other guests. In many Eastern countries it is the custom for the women folk to wait at the table rather than eat with their guests, and it appears to have been that way in this home. As they were eating Mary took a pound of spikenard ointment, very precious the Scripture says, and poured it over the Lord's feet. It was obviously a very special gift, linked in Mary's mind with the deep sadness of the occasion. Judas Iscariot, on the spur of the moment, estimated its value at three hundred denarii. It may well have represented Mary's life savings; but so deep was her love for her Master she counted nothing too costly for Him. She poured the ointment over His feet and then wiped them with her hair.

Mary perhaps understood what the disciples had failed to grasp, that the

Lord Jesus was going to His death, and this was her expression of fellowship with Him, the fellowship of His sufferings in very truth. It was certainly an outstanding expression of her love and devotion, a gift that involved great sacrifice, and it must have touched the Lord's heart very much.

Bethany was obviously a Christ centred home. They loved Him dearly and He loved them. One gets the impression that there would never have been a time when the Lord was not welcome in that home. Martha served, Lazarus sat with Him at the meal and enjoyed fellowship, and Mary brought her sacrificial gift; and it all happened in their home. Service, fellowship and sacrifice and each in relation to our Lord Jesus Christ. The same is possible in our homes today. "Whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Col. 3:17) wrote the apostle Paul as he commenced his instruction on relationships in the home.

How can we make the Lord Jesus welcome in our homes today? We remember He said in another context, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these My brethren, even these least, ye did it unto Me" (Mat. 25:40). When we open our homes to welcome the visitor, are we not doing it as unto Him? This is the hospitality the Bible speaks about, which we are to offer without murmuring (1 Pet. 4:9). And let us make welcome not only our Christian friends, but others also.

"Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Heb. 13:2). By opening our doors in this way we often bring a blessing to our own families, and that is an added bonus.

Secondly, Lazarus sat at the meal with Him, and that tells us about fellowship. The Lord's word to the Church in Laodicea comes to mind, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20). This is a promise which contains a wealth of divine truth. He is waiting to be invited into our hearts and homes, to share with us His holy things. It is day by day communion that is envisaged here, the Lord Jesus enjoying what we have for Him, and then inviting us to share what He has for us. Mary sat at His feet and heard His word, and that attitude of heart leads into the communion that the Lord is speaking about. "Let Me see thy countenance" He says, "Let Me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely" (S. of S. 2: 14). Is it not wonderful that the Lord Jesus wants to hear our voices? that He longs after fellowship with us? Are we taking time for this? "I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love" (S. of S. 2:3,4).

Thirdly, our homes are places where we can offer sacrifices as Mary did. Such sacrifice may take many forms, of course. There was a family who had a boys' class in their home and it grew until a large crowd of boys came every week. The furniture got knocked about, almost inevitably, and the mother of the home looked on in dismay until she remembered those who took joyfully the spoiling of their possessions. He decided that if the boys were being introduced to the Lord Jesus in her home that was much more important than her precious furniture. As far as she was concerned it was a sacrifice she was making for the Lord's sake. A small thing perhaps, but the Lord knows how to assess such sacrifices. Certainly there will be many opportunities for sacrifice if our homes are open and our hearts are ready for the Lord to use.

The Bethany home stands on the page of Scripture as a lovely example to us all. Let us thank God for our homes and make them places where the Lord Jesus and His friends are always welcome.

Toms, A. F. | Nov 1992
Family Life