Without Jesus There Is No Reason For Rejoicing

John 12:1-2 "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him."

We have got to have Christ. If you are saved...you do have Him.

He is a Saviour worth celebrating. He inhabits the praise of His people. In Georgia terms...that means He is right smack dab in the middle of it. We don't have to feel a thing to praise the Lord. Just start praising Him and before long you'll feel like it.

God said "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 150:6) If you are reading this...you have breath. Praise Him!!

There are three acts of celebration in this chapter. In verses 1 and 2 we see the supper for Lazarus and Jesus.

In verses 3-9 we see the anointing of the feet of Jesus.

In verses 13-16 we see the triumphant entry of Jesus into the city.

In chapter 11 there was crying...sighing and dying. In chapter 12 their crying is turned to celebrating...their sighing is turned to singing and their dying is turned into devotion.

Lazarus was dead but he got delivered. The people celebrated his deliverance. Then he was displayed. People passed by and saw him and said "Wait a minute...he was dead. I went to his funeral." We were dead in our sins then Jesus delivered us and now we are on display for the whole world to see.

Lazarus is dining and isn't even the guest of honor. Jesus...the One Who delivered him is the guest of honor. They are thanking Him for what He did for their brother. But Lazarus is right there beside Him. One day we will sit at the supper table and we'll dine with Him and He'll be the guest of honor.

Just like Lazarus...Jesus brought us from the tomb and one day we'll sit at the table and celebrate and thank Him for delivering us.