Friday, April 29, 2005

Luke: Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38  Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

  The village was Bethany and they had a brother, Lazarus.(John 11:1)


Luke 10:39  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luke 10:40  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:41  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:42  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
 

Two sisters, one was so busy serving that she had no time to spend at the Master's feet. Mary had been a sinner who had come to Jesus anointing his feet with ointment, and wiping his feet with her hair.  

 John 11:2  It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair,...  

John 12:1  Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
John 12:2  There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
John 12:3  Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.


Martha complained about Mary who would not help her prepare a meal or set the table. Martha was so busy she had no time for Jesus. Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him. She gave also, of her costly ointment to the Lord, wiping his feet with her hair with humble loving service. Jesus commended Mary for hearing his word, while Martha's heart was filled with anxiety and cares. Are you a Martha, so busy doing things, looking at others wishing they would help you and not coming to hear Jesus? We must hear from Jesus first. Each day we should spend time in his word and talking with him. We must love him in prayer and in praise and worship. Mary did this, the better thing. Martha was too busy, too filled with the cares and needs around her to spend time with Jesus; she had no peace.  

Phil 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phil 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  

Mary was blessed because she gave her heart to Jesus.  

 Eaglewings New Testament Studies

No comments: