TWO SISTERS AND A BROTHER What a blessing to have such a kindred interest in the Savior, and to be so loved by Him! Is it not proper for brothers and sisters to aspire to such things in our time? How many homes do you know where such devotion to Jesus exists? The rarity of such commitment it not owing to a lack of grace. Family members can unite in their love for and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. They can be devoted to serving Him like Martha. They can unite in sitting at His feet like Mary. They can sit with Jesus in public places like Lazarus, unashamed of their devotion to Him. O, that such traits were more common! There is sufficient mercy to culture closeness to Christ in the family, opening our homes to Him, ministering to Him, and listening to Him. When such attitudes are found, the Lord will more readily hearken to us when we call Him in the time of need, as Martha and Mary did when Lazarus died.
"Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." KJV (John 11:1-3)
Rarely do we find a family so united in their love for Christ, and for whom Christ had such a high regard: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The only things we know about these people regard their dealings with Jesus. In fact, if it were not for Jesus, we would know nothing of them at all. The first reference to Martha is when she welcomed Jesus into her home (Lk 10:38). We are told that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus" (John 11:5), and that Mary "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word" (Lk 10:39). Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:43-44). Six days before the Passover, during which Jesus would be betrayed, "There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him" (John 12:2). During this occasion, "Mary took a pound (about ½ liter) of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil" (John 12:3). Elsewhere, we are told this took place in the house of Simon the leper. Jesus said Mary anointed Him for His burial, and that wherever the Gospel was preached, her deed would be mentioned as a memorial to her (Matt 26:6-13; Mk 14:3-9). This took place at the end of Christ’s ministry. Earlier in His ministry, another woman, who was a sinner, did the same thing (Lk 7:37-39). That woman was also blessed by Jesus, though, like Mary, she was criticized by those who saw her.