Mary Of Bethany

Uplook – May 2021 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Mary Of Bethany

Listening – Luke 10:38-42
This passage introduces us to Mary. The Lord Jesus had been invited to eat with Martha and her sister Mary, in Bethany at Martha’s home. These verses tell us that Martha was distracted with much serving. How important it is for us to see what distracts us and keeps us from that which is of real value: the Lord Jesus Christ!

Mary’s main interest was to hear what He had to say, sitting at His feet. Her lack of help in serving perturbed, or upset, Martha. She told Jesus, “‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’” (vv.40-42 NKJV). Notice that Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His word.

When I was newly saved I thought all preachers went to Bible colleges before doing such work, so I asked one where he had gone to school. His answer was “Saint Mary’s University.” When I asked him where that was, he responded, “At the feet of Jesus.” What a good answer and lesson for us!

Sorrowing – John 11:1-44
Returning to Scripture we find that Mary and Martha had a brother, Lazarus, who became very sick. When he was almost to the point of death, his sisters sent a message to Jesus saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” (v.3). Jesus’ response is interesting: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (v.4).

The Lord loved not just Lazarus but Martha and Mary too, yet He stayed where He was for two more days. Then, seemingly to the disciples’ surprise, Jesus said, “Let us go to Judea again” (v.7). Some of the disciples tried to talk Him out of going because the Jews had threatened to stone Him. He answered, “Are there not twelve hours in the day?” (v.9). While we may take this to mean daytime, I feel He was referring to His life, and that the cross and resurrection would end His workday.

Jesus then said, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up” (v.11). The disciples did not understand, so they responded, “Lord, if he sleeps he will get well” (v.12). Jesus had to tell “them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe’” (vv.14-15). This interaction speaks volumes to us: God does not have to explain everything to you and me; we need to simply trust Him.

After waiting, Jesus and His disciples went to Bethany. Martha went out to meet Him. She believed in the finality of death, but “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again’” (v.23). Martha said, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day” (v.24). Jesus responded with words only He could speak, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (v.25). We notice the difference between the comments of Jesus and Martha. Martha meant natural death, but Jesus was referring to spiritual death.

When Mary came to Jesus she, like Martha, stated that if He had been there her brother would not have died (v.32, see v.21). Jesus soon asked where they had laid Lazarus, and “they said to Him, ‘Lord, come and see’” (v.34). Three times in this story, including here, Jesus showed great emotion:

• “He groaned in the spirit and was troubled” (v.33).
• “Jesus wept” (v.35).
• “Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb” (v.38).

How do we react when we see people grieving or suffering?

At the cave, the tomb where Lazarus was laid, “Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone’” (v.39). Martha was quite concerned about opening the tomb. She thought there must be a stench, for Lazarus had already been dead four days. “Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?’” (v.40). They took the stone away, and Jesus prayed, giving His Father the glory. He then ordered, “Lazarus, come forth” (v.43). With that command Lazarus came out, still bound with graveclothes. Jesus said to “loose him, and let him go” (v.44).

Anointing – John 12:1-11
Now, six days before Passover, Jesus and His disciples were again at the home of Mary and Martha. While they were there, “Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (v.3). Is such a pleasing fragrance coming from our lives?

Judas, however, expressed his hypocrisy. He followed Jesus outwardly, but he was a thief. Judas said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” The other disciples joined in Judas’ criticism, even though he quite apparently did not care about the poor. Instead, he “had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it” (vv.5-6).

Jesus spoke up, telling His disciples to leave Mary alone, “She has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always” (vv.7-8). Where do you think she learned that Jesus was to be buried? Do we remember, early on she had chosen the better part, by sitting at His feet and listening to Him? I hope we do the same.

Jesus added, “I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mt. 26:13). May we consider Mary’s example and follow it by spending time in the presence – even at the feet – of the Lord Jesus Christ!

With joy our wondering hearts retrace Thy ways on earth of power and grace; We sit as learners at Thy feet, Thy words than honey far more sweet.—James G. Deck (1816–1884)

By Curt Darling