When that lonely Stranger from heaven went about doing good, there were few hearts that beat in sympathy with His. He was "despised and rejected of men." We read of His going alone to the Mount of Olives, of His being all night in prayer, and of His saying the Son of man had not where to lay His head; but there was one spot on earth where the Lord could find a welcome and some measure of understanding; it was the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. What a blessed spot that was! a little oasis in a vast desert of pride, arrogance, and religious profession.
When our blessed Savior made that last journey up to Jerusalem and was hailed as the Son of David coming in the name of the Lord, He was forthwith rejected. He did not remain within the walls of Jerusalem over night, but retired to His retreat in the house of His friends.
The town where those devoted souls lived derived its importance in His eyes from their residing in it. In John 11:11Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. (John 11:1) we read, "Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha." Think of it—"Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha." The one distinguishing thing about it was that they lived there. Its name means "the house of palms," but it was not its palms that drew the Lord thitherward, nor was it the four walls of the house in which this brother and two sisters lived, but their open hearts which gave Him a welcome where otherwise He had none.
It was this blessed trio that made Him a feast (John 12)—where each one of them carried out his part. Martha served, Lazarus sat at the table with Him, and Mary poured out her costly ointment on His blessed feet. In these three we see represented service, communion, and worship—each blessed in its place. Surely it was a feast by the way-the way to Calvary and all its woe. It was not an impulsive act of Mary's that was born at the instant, for the Lord said, "Against the day of My burying hath she kept this." It was premeditated, laid up in store for the fitting moment, and when that moment arrived she was so in the current of His thoughts as to perceive when the alabaster box should be broken and the ointment poured forth. Not only did the Lord derive the benefit from her lavish expenditure on Him, but "the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." The atmosphere of the place was permeated with the fragrance of her devotion. And is not the praise and worship of Him by one soul now a thing that is felt and in measure entered into by others?
May our hearts desire that our homes be little Bethanys. It is true, the Lord is not walking about this world now as He was then, but His dear people are here, and He has said, "He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth Me; and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me." John 13:2020Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (John 13:20). And again He says that in doing anything for one of His own, it is done for Him.
It is well when young married people weigh these matters at first, and then seek by His grace to have that kind of home in which the Lord Himself would find a welcome. We are apt to settle into a selfish attitude to enjoy our homes to ourselves, but "this world is a wilderness wide," and many of the Lord's beloved people need a little cheer and encouragement by the way. May they find it in our homes, and may we do it as unto Him; then one day we shall hear Him say, "Ye did it unto Me.”
Considerable is said in the Scriptures about showing hospitality-"Given to hospitality." Rom. 12:1313Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (Romans 12:13); 1 Tim. 3:22A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (1 Timothy 3:2). "A lover of hospitality." Titus 1:88But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; (Titus 1:8). "Use hospitality one to another without grudging." 1 Peter 4:99Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (1 Peter 4:9). There are also other verses which bring the thought before us without using the word "hospitality.”
Hospitality to the saints does not consist in making a great feast, but in making them welcome to what you have. A sumptuous dinner may be a very formal affair with little warmth or heart in it. It is the practical application of love to the saints that is so desirable. This tends to strengthen the sense of the ties that bind us together. It also gives opportunity for helpful conversation about the Lord and His things, so that we may strengthen one another.
We shall not be the losers by expending ourselves or our resources for the beloved saints of God. The "certain Samaritan" paid the innkeeper for the care of the man he rescued, and then added that whatever he spent beyond the amount given would be repaid by him at his return (Luke 10). May the dear young people starting out in homes of their own desire that these may be formed after the pattern of that place where the Lord was always welcome—the home in Bethany.
" 'Mid scenes of confusion, and creature-complaints,
How sweet to the soul is communion with saints;
To find at the banquet of mercy there's room,
To feel in communion a foretaste of home.
"Sweet bonds, that unite all the children of peace!
And thrice-blessed Savior, whose love cannot cease!
The' oft amid trials and dangers we roam,
With Thine we're united, and hasting toward home.”