Three Great Traits

“There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus.” John 12:2-3a

Whenever someone asks me what the Christian life should look like I point to John chapter 12.

There we find Jesus is at the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. It’s six days before the Passover and the scripture tells us “they” made Him a supper. I believe as I read into the text that at least some of the disciples where there and that Jesus was giving them an object lesson on the Christian life and three of its main pieces.

It tells us that “There they made Him a supper” but it was Martha who served, Lazarus sat and Mary anointed. I like the example of the three types of characteristics that should define the way we “walk”.

Three Character traits that I hope we can relate to. I believe as we see the heart of Martha some of us can say, “oh yeah, serving is my gift” or like Lazarus, “I love to sit and be in discussion when Jesus is talking” and finally Mary, “all I want to do is sit at Jesus’ feet”.

I wish I was a fly on the wall and could see the reaction of the other disciples, an object lesson at its best.

Although you might see your primary trait in one of these people I think it’s important to portray all three. We can be servants but it’s important to hear the words of Christ and to worship. We may love to attend every Bible study but still should have time to serve and worship. And we can primarily be worshippers but still should be found serving and learning.

Three great traits in one, imagine the possibilities…

I know for me it’s easy to get to church early and help with all the work that needs to be done, but I sometimes find myself out in the foyer during the service talking to the other “helpers” and missing the worship and message. It’s not until I combine all three that I can become the complete man that God has intended me to be.

So make sure we are exercising all the benefits of the Christian life because when it comes down to it, remember, we “get to” be a part of it all, Amen! – Rob Russomano is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and serves full-time at America’s Keswick. You can write to him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

Daily Bible Reading: Titus 1-3

Think About This: Never let us be discouraged with ourselves; it is not when we are conscious of our faults that we are the most wicked: on the contrary, we are less so. We see by a brighter light. And let us remember, for our consolation, that we never perceive our sins till He begins to cure them. Francis Fenelon

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands. Psalm 119:143