Villages were typical in Jesus’ time. Most villages were often quite close to each other and could be reached on foot. The villagers were also most often very hospitable to visitors. Jesus and the disciples went to a village where Martha, a friend and the sister of Lazarus and Mary, received him into her house.
For Jesus to have
been received into her house, he must have knocked to announce his visit, and Martha opened the door and invited him in. Jesus never barges into our lives; he knocks and waits for us to open and let him in. His presence also draws people to want to be with him. Many villagers often gathered around Jesus, wanting to be in his presence.
Without a relationship and the presence of Jesus, lives go awry, and people start operating in a
godless manner. Most heartbreaking at the moment is the news reports of children going missing, or even being killed by those closest to them, those who have borne them. What darkness is in people’s hearts and lives, making them harm innocent children, instead of protecting them?
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves as believers:
Are we being hospitable to those in need?
Are we bringing Jesus’ presence into the dark places and people’s hearts?
Reflections by Adri Sutherland
