“Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him.” — John 12:2

He is to be envied. It was well to be Martha and serve, but better to beLazarus and commune. There are times for each purpose, and each iscomely in its season, but none of the trees of the garden yield such clustersas the vine of fellowship. To sit with Jesus, to hear His words, to markHis acts, and receive His smiles, was such a favour as must have madeLazarus as happy as the angels. When it has been our happy lot to feastwith our Beloved in His banqueting-hall, we would not have given half asigh for all the kingdoms of the world, if so much breath could have boughtthem.

He is to be imitated. It would have been a strange thing if…

Lazarus had notbeen at the table where Jesus was, for he had been dead, and Jesus hadraised him. For the risen one to be absent when the Lord who gave him lifewas at his house, would have been ungrateful indeed. We too were oncedead, yea, and like Lazarus stinking in the grave of sin; Jesus raised us, andby His life we live — can we be content to live at a distance from Him? Dowe omit to remember Him at His table, where He deigns to feast with Hisbrethren? Oh, this is cruel! It behoves us to repent, and do as He hasbidden us, for His least wish should be law to us. To have lived withoutconstant intercourse with one of whom the Jews said, “Behold how Heloved him,” would have been disgraceful to Lazarus, is it excusable in uswhom Jesus has loved with an everlasting love? To have been cold to Himwho wept over his lifeless corpse, would have argued great brutishness inLazarus. What does it argue in us over whom the Saviour has not onlywept, but bled? Come, brethren, who read this portion, let us return untoour heavenly Bridegroom, and ask for His Spirit that we may be on termsof closer intimacy with Him, and henceforth sit at the table with Him.

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Producer: Todd Adkins
Voice Artist: Ian Cullen