~ The Banquet ~

It was a thing she did well, serving, and, now, the sweet opportunity to serve the Master!?  She did her best!?  Mary helped ~ Lazarus, too.?  And, they waited, wondering, "Would He come?"

Last Passover, He came.?  What a stir!?  Perhaps those in power had seen.?  Of course, they had heard! That scene was less than theirs had been, in the end.?  True, not such a crowd was present.?  But, the news of the happening had spread like wildfire!

A braided whip, merchants, and merchandise was one thing. ? But, four days dead!?  And, now, perhaps Lazarus and He Would banquet together!

They sat, those four (surely more, but those four).?  Lazarus, once dead, beside this One Who had such power! And, tears ... tears for love of a friend, tears for a city, tears for a people; tears for a world.

Mary, whose gratitude and love soon culminated in such a compassionate act ~ little realizing the fragrance would fill, not just this home in Bethany but, courts and palaces, whipping yards, the air of other kings ~ soldiers.

Martha, serving, in joy, the Master she loved; not chided now, but accepted, appreciated, loved and loving.

What an hour!?  To hear the conversation around that table, to see the devotion there; the servers trying hard to understand this talk of burial from the great Server, no talk here of petty things, no frivolity, no light chitter~chatter.?  Memory cells were activated.?  They hung on every word!?  The hour ... so precious, to them ~ To Him!

The blessed calm
Before the storm,
Before the Victory!

St. John 12

?© 2003 by Joan Clifton Costner

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