Martha and Mary compiled by Debra Maffett

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Johannes (Jan) Vermeer - 1632
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary

CTL.Today
PRESENTS
MARTHA AND MARY
Luke 10:38-42
FEATURING
J.C. Ryle
Mary Elizabeth Baxter
Edward Griffin
James Smith
COMPILED BY DEBRA MAFFETT
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Table of Contents
Martha and Mary - J.C. Ryle …5
Martha, The Bustling Woman - Mary Elizabeth Baxter …11
One Thing is Needful - Edward Griffin …15
MARY -James Smith …24
Resources and J.C. Ryle Audio Book: …31
Martha and Mary Luke 10:38-42
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. 39 And she had a sister
called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 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.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen
that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
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Martha and Mary
by J.C. Ryle
1816-1900
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. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet,
and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving,
and came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has
left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus
answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, you are careful and
troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary has
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
The little history which these verses contain, is only recorded in the
Gospel of Luke. So long as the world stands, the story of Mary and
Martha will furnish the Church with lessons of wisdom which ought
never to be forgotten. Taken together with the eleventh chapter of
John's Gospel, it throws a most instructive light on the inner life of
the family which Jesus loved.
Let us observe, for one thing — how different the characters and
personalities of true Christians may be. The two sisters of whom we
read in this passage were faithful disciples. Both had believed. Both
had been converted. Both had honored Christ when few gave Him
honor. Both loved Jesus — and Jesus loved both of them. Yet they
were evidently women of very different turn of mind.
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Martha was active, stirring, and impulsive, feeling strongly — and
speaking out all she felt. Mary was quiet, still, and contemplative,
feeling deeply — but saying less than she felt. Martha, when Jesus
came to her house, rejoiced to see Him — and busied herself with
preparing a suitable refreshment. Mary, also, rejoiced to see Him —
but her first thought was to sit at His feet and hear His Word. Grace
reigned in both hearts — but each showed the effects of grace at
different times, and in different ways.
We shall find it very useful to ourselves to remember this lesson. We
must not expect all believers in Christ to be exactly like one another.
We must not set down others as having no grace — because their
experience does not entirely tally with our own. The sheep in the
Lord's flock have each their own peculiarities. The trees in the Lord's
garden are not all precisely alike.
All true servants of God agree in the principal things of religion. All
are led by one Spirit. All feel their sins — and all trust in Christ. All
repent, all believe — and all are holy. But in minor matters, they
often differ widely. Let not one despise another on this account.
There will be Martha's and there will be Mary’s
in the Church, until the Lord comes again!
Let us observe, for another thing — what a snare to our souls the
cares of this world may be, if allowed to take up too much attention.
It is plain from the tone of the passage before us, that Martha
allowed her anxiety to provide a suitable entertainment for the Lord,
to carry her away. Her excessive zeal for temporal provisions —
made her forget, for a time, the things of her soul. "She was
cumbered with much serving." By and bye her conscience pierced her
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when she found herself alone serving tables, and saw her sister
sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word. Under the pressure of a
conscience ill at ease, her temper became ruffled, and the 'old Adam'
within broke out into open complaint. "Lord," she said, "Do you not
care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!"
In so saying, this holy woman sadly forgot what she was — and to
whom she was speaking. She brought down on herself a solemn
rebuke — and had to learn a lesson which probably made a lasting
impression. Alas! "how great a matter a little spark kindles." The
beginning of all this was a little over-anxiety about the innocent
household affairs of this world!
The fault of Martha should be a perpetual warning to all Christians.
If we desire to grow in grace, and to enjoy soul-prosperity — then we
must beware of the cares of this world. Unless we watch and pray —
they will insensibly eat up our spirituality, and bring leanness on our
souls!
It is not open sin, or flagrant breaches of God's commandments
alone, which lead men to eternal ruin. It is far more frequently an
excessive attention to things in themselves lawful, and the being
"cumbered with much serving."
It seems so right to provide for our own! It seems so proper to attend
to the duties of our station! It is just here, that our danger lies. Our
families, our business, our daily callings, our household affairs, our
interaction with society — all, all may become snares to our hearts,
and may draw us away from God. We may go down to the pit of Hell
— from the very midst of lawful things!
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Let us take heed to ourselves in this matter. Let us watch our habits
of mind jealously, lest we fall into sin unawares. If we love life —
then we must hold the things of this world with a very loose hand,
and beware of allowing anything to have the first place in our hearts,
excepting God. Let us mentally write "Poison!" on all temporal good
things. Used in moderation they are blessings, for which we ought to
be thankful. Permitted to fill our minds — and trample upon holy
things — they become an inevitable curse. Profits and pleasures are
dearly purchased, if in order to obtain them we thrust aside eternity
from our thoughts, abridge our Bible-reading, become careless
hearers of the Gospel, and shorten our prayers. A little earth upon
the fire within us — will soon make that fire burn low.
Let us observe, for another thing — what a solemn rebuke our Lord
Jesus Christ gave to His servant Martha. Like a wise physician — He
saw the disease which was preying upon her, and at once applied the
remedy. Like a tender parent — He exposed the fault into which His
erring child had fallen, and did not spare the chastening which was
required. "Martha, Martha," He said, "you are worried and troubled
about many things — but only one thing is needful." Faithful are the
wounds of a friend! That little sentence was a precious balm indeed!
It contained a volume of practical divinity in a few words.
"Only one thing is needful." How true that saying! The longer we live
in the world — the more true it will appear. The nearer we come to
the grave — the more thoroughly we shall assent to it. Health, and
money, and lands, and rank, and honors, and prosperity, are all well
in their way. But they cannot be called needful. Without them
thousands are happy in this world, and reach glory in the world to
come. The "many things" which men and women are continually
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struggling for, are not really necessities. The grace of God which
brings salvation, is the one thing needful.
Let this little sentence be continually before the eyes of our minds.
Let it check us when we are ready to murmur at earthly trials. Let it
strengthen us when we are tempted to deny our Master on account of
persecution. Let it caution us when we begin to think too much of the
things of this world. Let it quicken us when we are disposed to look
back, like Lot's wife. In all such seasons, let the words of our Lord
ring in our ears like a trumpet, and bring us to a right mind. "Only
one thing is needful!" If Christ is ours — then we have all and
abound!
We should observe, lastly, what high commendation our Lord Jesus
Christ pronounced on Mary's choice. We read that He said, "Mary has
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her." There was
a deep meaning in these words. They were spoken not only for
Mary's sake, but for the sake of all Christ's believing people in every
part of the world. They were meant to encourage all true Christians
to be single-eyed and whole-hearted — to follow the Lord fully, and
to walk closely with God, to make soul-business immeasurably their
first business, and to think comparatively little of the things of this
world.
The true Christian's portion is the grace of God. This is the "good
part" which he has chosen, and it is the only portion which really
deserves the name of "good." It is the only good thing which is
substantial, satisfying, real, and lasting. It is good in sickness and
good in health — good in youth and good in age, good in adversity
and good in prosperity — good in life and good in death, good in
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time and good in eternity. No circumstance and no position can be
imagined in which it is not good for man to have the grace of God.
The true Christian's possession shall never be taken from him. He
alone, of all mankind, shall never be stripped of his inheritance.
Kings must one day leave their palaces. Rich men must one day leave
their money and lands. They only hold them until they die. But the
poorest saint on earth has a treasure of which he will never be
deprived. The grace of God,
and the favor of Christ, are
riches which no man can
take from him. They will go
with him to the grave when
he dies. They will rise with
him in the resurrection
morning, and be his to all
eternity.
What do we know of this
"good part" which Mary
chose? Have we chosen it for
ourselves? Can we say with
truth that it is ours? Let us
never rest until we can. Let
us "choose life," while Christ
offers it to us without money
and without price. Let us
seek treasure in Heaven, lest
we awake to find that we are
paupers for evermore.
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MARTHA, THE BUSTLING WOMAN.
Mary Elizabeth Baxter
1837-1926
There were times, when Jesus was going through the towns and
villages with His disciples, that He parted company with them for a
time. "As they went, He entered into a certain village, and a certain
woman named Martha received Him into her house."
Martha was a thorough housewife. All her soul seems to have been in
the hospitality which she could afford to her valued Guest.
But Martha thought more of what she would like to do for Jesus than
of what Jesus would like to have done for Him. She thought of what
she would bestow upon Him rather than of what He desired. There
was a great deal of self in her hospitality. The truest hospitality is to
interfere as little as possible with the habits and wishes of a guest.
The truly hospitable housewife does not make herself or her service
apparent; she does not load her table or deck out her rooms with
ornaments which have to be taken care of, and fill the guest with fear
lest he should break or soil everything that he touches. The Christlike
housewife cares for her guest; not for her furniture: for his
comfort, and not for her reputation as a housekeeper or manager.
There are some houses in which one feels very uncomfortable, lest
one should do the wrong thing, sit in the wrong place, speak the
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wrong word, or do something at the wrong time. There are other
houses where one feels as much at home as in one's own house.
The Shunammite, in giving hospitality to Elisha, studied his taste;
but Martha studied her own. She "was cumbered about much
serving." It was true she sought to honor Jesus. All was done for Him,
but it was done in her way and not in His way. Her plans were made
about the dinner irrespective of His convenience or that of Mary,
and so it came to pass that she had far too much to do in the time
remaining to her. She got into a bustle and fret, and just as people do
in such a condition, began to think whose fault it was. It could not be
her fault; had not she been at work from early morning? had she not
done everything which mortal woman could do? but that lazy Mary,
who was sitting enjoying herself at Jesus' feet, did not help at all. She
wondered that Jesus should encourage her to be so selfish, when
there was so much to be done. And, boiling with indignation, she
went and interrupted the Master and His disciple, and, seeing
everything from her own selfish point of view, thought herself
justified in doing so.
"Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone?
bid her therefore that she help me."
Martha was persuaded that hers was a righteous cause, and being so
sure that she was in the right, of course her sister was in the wrong,
and she implied that Jesus was in the wrong too. An unrestful spirit
can never see straight; she was unprepared for the answer:
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things;
but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which
shall not be taken away from her.”
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To one who looks at things only from an earthly point of view,
would seem to have reason on her side; but Jesus had come to the
house, not for the sake of entertainment, good living, the
comfortable room, the tastefully arranged furniture. He sought
something very different-worshippers who should "worship the
Father in spirit and in truth" (Jhn 4:23), and He had found one in
Mary. He wanted appreciative hearts and quiet spirits to take in the
things of the kingdom of God, and Martha's cumbrous service was
only a hindrance to Him. He would very much have preferred a cup
of milk and a crust of bread to the sumptuous fare which distracted
Martha from the things of His kingdom.
She met with a rebuke just when she expected Jesus to justify her
wounded sense of innocence, and while she thought she had the
right on her side, she had, in addition to her household cares, the
rebuke of her Master:
"Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things."
Oh, how many a bustling woman feels it is quite enough to have the
dinner in danger of being late, the stockings unmended, visitors
neglected, etc., without being complained of! A rebuke when she is
in such a spirit is like the straw which breaks the camel's back!
But the bustling woman must come to a stop in order to see her
mistake. She cannot listen to Jesus until she learns to be still. She
carries all her fever of the kitchen into the dining‐room, and sits
down at table with a flurried, flushed, anxious face, not likely to help
her guests; she carries the worries and frets she has had with the
children into her intercourse with her husband when he comes back
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from work, and she finds that her moments of prayer are
interrupted. She is in too much of a turmoil to realize the presence
of her God.
"ONE THING IS NEEDFUL,"
and the bustling woman possesses it not. It is the habit of listening
to the Savior and taking in from Him that quiet, and strength, and
help, which is a power in any life. A quiet spirit with a very simple
dinner will cheer the spirits, and help the appetites of, all who are
present. A quiet and cheerful spirit with ever so bare and badly
furnished a house, will make the visitor feel at home.
"A heart at leisure from itself," like the heart of Jesus, brings the
atmosphere of heaven wheresoever it is found. "One thing is
needful,"-it is to be one with Jesus under all circumstances; nothing
else is absolutely necessary. And this is gloriously, blessedly possible
for any true believer who has accepted as a personal experience the
great truth of "Christ in you the hope of glory." (Col 1:27.) Christ in any
believer is a quiet still life which listens to and obeys our God.
Col 1:27
To whom God would make known what is the riches of
the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is
Christ in you, the hope of glory:
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One Thing is Needful
by Edward Griffin
1770-1837
"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about
many things — but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better,
and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42
There was a pious family at Bethany, on the Mount of Olives,
consisting of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary. This was that
Lazarus who was afterwards raised from the dead — and this was
that Mary who anointed her Lord with ointment and wiped His feet
with the hair of her head.
On a certain day Jesus came to Bethany — and Martha, with
affectionate hospitality, "received him into her house." While she was
thus employed in providing Him with a meal, the attention of her
more spiritual and contemplative sister was wholly engrossed by His
heavenly instructions.
It was the custom of that day for disciples to sit at the feet of their
masters while listening to their discourses. This did Mary on the
present occasion. Martha, who had committed one error by excessive
anxiety to prepare a meal for her celestial Guest — added another by
complaining of her sister because she lingered still at His feet. This
was more commendable in Mary, than any excessive care about the
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offices of hospitality. "But Martha was cumbered about much
serving, and came to" Jesus, and with a bluntness surprising to a
modern ear, "said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to
serve alone? Bid her therefore to help me." And Jesus answered and
said unto her, with a gentle but serious reproof, "Martha, Martha,
you are worried and upset about many things — but only one thing is
needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away
from her."
It is not uncommon for people of an active and worldly spirit, to
censure Christians for devoting so much time to religion. When the
latter occasionally neglect their worldly business to attend to
devotion or to the interests of the Redeemer's kingdom — the
worldly charge them with uselessness, and plead against them the
sacred relations of wife and children. But what relative duties are
more pressing than was that of hospitality to the person of Jesus? So
Martha reasoned — and she blamed Mary for a seeming neglect of
this.
But Jesus protected her. He would not blunt those holy desires which
He had excited, nor discourage that eager attention to divine things
which cast every worldly object into the shadows. Some fanatics have
indeed made all religion to consist in meditation, to the exclusion of
every active duty. They have retired to convents and deserts — where
they have dragged out a useless life and were as good as buried
before they were dead. This is the opposite extreme.
Martha thought it highly necessary to provide a meal for her
heavenly Guest. In her opinion, anything could be postponed rather
than this. And so would the greater part of sincere people have
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thought. Yet Christ told her that there was another thing far more
necessary; that however important her hospitality might be, another
thing was "needful." This was the care of the soul — and an interest
in the Savior.
This is the one thing needful for an immortal being. There is nothing
else which a man may not do without. He may do without the praise
of men, without the love and respect of his acquaintances, and even
without a good reputation — provided his conscience does not
upbraid him. These things are indeed valuable, and much of the
happiness of life depends on the love and confidence of the wise and
good. But a man may do without these. He may make a shift to
survive his character, to live under the contempt and derision of the
world, separated from human society. Even in such a seclusion — a
good conscience and the comforts of religion would render life
tolerable and even happy. But though it were otherwise, yet
threescore years and ten, and probably a much shorter space, would
put an end to his mortification and introduce him into everlasting
society and honor.
A man may do without the gratification of the senses, and the
pleasures of imagination. These delights are by no means trifling.
They constitute all the physical happiness derived from the beauties
of nature and art, and from the whole furniture of the globe. But a
man may do without these.
Blindness may convert the page of nature into a universal blank; he
may be rendered deaf to the harmony of music and to the sweeter
tones of human conversation; he may be dead to every fragrance that
floats in the breeze, and insensible to every pleasure of taste and of
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touch; he may no longer find a mystic charm thrown around him by
the spell of imagination. He may be wholly cut off from society, and
may have no bodily sensation but that of pain. Could the outward
condition of man be worse? Yet thus excluded from all connection
with the world without — his soul may enjoy, in a sort of separate
state, much of the happiness of Heaven.
But if it were otherwise, yet the termination of his sufferings is at
hand. A few years will translate him from a world of darkness,
solitude, and suffering — into eternal light and vision and
blessedness.
A man may do without wealth, the great object which makes the
universal race run mad. Poverty may do its worst upon him. And
what can it do? It may make him hungry and cold and wet and
friendless — but it cannot take from him the light of God's
countenance.
He may waste his solitary days in a prison; but there, like Paul and
Silas, he may shout and sing for joy. And shortly he shall have a
release and full freedom to range the universe of God.
Wealth cannot be pronounced the one thing needful — so long as it is
easier to spend half a century in prison, than an eternity in Hell. The
worst that poverty can do, is to terminate life and hasten the
consummation of the Christian's happiness; but the lack of religion
can inflict what is infinitely worse. True religion is the one thing
needful.
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1. True religion is the one thing needful — as it constitutes the duty
and dignity of the immortal mind. As intelligence raises man above
the brutes — so religion raises him almost to a level with angels. Sin
is a derangement of all the affections — and a prostitution of all the
abilities. The most excellent things are abhorred — and the most
odious things are loved. Holiness is the composure of this
derangement. It restores the soul to the most noble use of its powers.
Holiness unites it to God and to His vast and holy kingdom. Holiness
takes it up from the pit of pollution — to be a member of the body of
Christ, and an heir of glory. If the most dignified and glorious state
of an immortal being is the one thing needful — then religion brings
him to that state.
2. True religion is the one thing needful — as it is essential to present
happiness. Nothing in Heaven or earth can satisfy the mind, but
God. The poor weather-beaten wretch who has spent his life in
courting the world, and has been only crushed by its frowns — finds
in religion that balm to his wounds which he sought in vain in every
corner of creation. His vagabond thoughts, which wandered through
the world and found no rest, return and settle in God, and there live
together in the sweetest harmony. He now has no desire which
conscience condemns, and no object recommended by reason from
which desire revolts. Long wandering from the center of rest with a
vacant and uneasy mind — he has at length returned and found that
rest in God which the world denied him.
Tormented with ungovernable passions and the restlessness of guilt
— he was like "the troubled sea which cannot rest"; but now he enjoys
the luxury of pardon, and a conscience purged "from dead works to
serve the living God.” Before he was cursed with a feverish desire for
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objects which he could not obtain, and which, if obtained, could
bring nothing but uneasiness. But now he embraces the eternal God,
who, while He fills his arms, also satisfies his heart.
When he looks abroad into the works of God — his eye is filled with
grateful tears. He is assured that a wise and faithful Providence
governs all. He sees that everything valuable to himself and to the
universe, is safe under the shadow of the divine throne. When he
lifts his eye to Him whose love gave being to angels and fills all
Heaven with light and with song, whose agency ranges through
numberless worlds, upholding and governing and benefitting all;
when he plunges into the ocean of the divine perfections and loses
himself in the immensity and eternity of God, in His boundless love
and mercy; and when he is conscious of being embraced by the
everlasting covenant, and of having God for an eternal portion — he
is entranced, and feels immortality growing up within him. Then it
is that he looks down and pities earthly kings.
Religion is the one thing needful as a support under affliction. Do
you see that poor widow, whose earthly stay was lately carried to the
grave? Do you see her bending over the dying-bed of her only child?
What then on earth can bind up her breaking heart? I see your
hesitating feet turn away, because you cannot bear the sight. But go
to her without fear. I see indeed the tear of nature fall, but a sacred
calmness meets me in her eye. "It is the Lord!" says she, "let him do
what seems good to Him! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Take, and
welcome, the last offering I have to give. Would I had an only child to
give you every week!" I heard her afterwards say, "That was the
happiest day of my life." Now, is not such a religion the one thing
needful in such a world as this?
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But still a more trying hour is approaching. We must all die. What
principle in nature can fortify the soul in that tremendous hour?
When about to appear in the presence of God, to render an account
of our polluted lives — what but a well-grounded hope in Christ can
compose the agitated spirits? In that moment, all the glories of the
world fade from the sight, and nothing but a saving interest in Christ
appears the one thing needful.
3. True religion is the one thing needful for happiness beyond the
grave. Both the nature of things and the express conditions of the
Gospel — make religion necessary to future happiness. It is
impossible for a man to enjoy holy objects and employments —
without a holy taste. Such is the nature of Heaven, that were there no
express declaration of the Gospel to the purpose, an unholy man
must necessarily be excluded from its happiness. But the Gospel is
express on the subject. "Follow after holiness — without which no
man shall see the Lord." "Except a man be born again, he cannot see
the kingdom of God." "Except you repent, you shall all likewise
perish." "He who believes not, shall be damned."
What then can be needful as true religion? Of what importance is
the comfort of a transitory life — compared with the happiness of as
many ages as there are sands upon the sea-shore, and leaves in the
forest and stars in Heaven? During all these ages, the righteous will
be ranging high in the realms of bliss, soaring with seraphim and
cherubim, holding high communion with God — and looking
forward to an everlasting increase of their joy! While the damned
will spend their eternity in unquenchable fire! At the thought that
their torment will never end, but must forever increase, that they are
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never to have another moment's ease, no, never, never, never — but I
forbear.
If these things are so (and the half has not been told you) — then
what madness is it to neglect religion for any other object! Ask the
man of business why he does not attend to religion — and he has not
time. Not time — and why is not everything else given up? Will you
be more anxious to make provision for children, who may never live
to enjoy it — than to provide for a deathless soul? Will you be more
anxious to provide for old age, which you may never live to see —
than to provide for eternity, whose glories or whose glooms must
forever surround you? Shall all your attention be turned to the time
between this and threescore years and ten — and no part to that
between threescore years and ten and fourscore thousand years?
Your calculation for present comfort, is altogether out of joint! You
are attempting to secure present comfort — by a neglect of God!
What madness is this!
Do you love your children? Seize then the promise which is to you
and to them. Teach them by your example to pray. Get a heart deeply
impressed with everlasting things — that you may faithfully instruct
and efficaciously entreat them. And then if you are early called away
— you will leave them a richer inheritance than all the treasures of
this world could compose!
But it is a great mistake to think that you have not time to attend to
both business and religion at once, or that they stand in opposition
to each other. An idolatrous attachment to the world stands indeed
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in opposition to religion — and religion stands in opposition to that
restless care which accompanies a rage to be rich.
But a sanctified attention to business, so far from being opposed to
religion — is really a part of it. The command of God binds us to a
course of steady industry. But it is one thing to attend to business
from a supreme attachment to the world — and another to perform
it with an eye fixed on the authority and glory of God. Now then the
weakness of this plea will appear. While you pursue your lawful
business as a commanded duty — you must attend to religion. Have
you not time for this? Your business is dispatched as soon in this way
as though your heart was wholly engrossed by it. Have you not time
to regard the divine glory in all that you do? Your neglect of this does
not arise from lack of time — but from lack of love to God. O
remember that "the fashion of this world passes away." Soon must
you be torn from all your possessions on earth, and nothing will
remain to you but your religion. This will appear more valuable in a
dying hour, than the wealth of a thousand worlds. O seek this — and
lay hold on eternal life. Amen.
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of
the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that
doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
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MARY
James Smith
1859
"Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His words" Luke 10:39
We have three views of Mary in the New Testament:
1. Mary working, washing the feet of Jesus, and anointing them with
precious ointment.
2. Mary weeping at the sickness and death of her brother Lazarus, and
3. Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his words.
The family was a peculiarly favored one, each member of it was a
believer, an object of the Savior's love. God did not here take one of a
family, as he sometimes does—but he took the whole.
Let us notice Mary's CHARACTER. She was a quiet contemplative
Christian.
We differ very much in our natural dispositions and temperament.
Some are lively—others dull. Some are full of talk—and some very
reserved. We carry our natural peculiarities with us—into a state of
grace. Grace refines, ennobles, and regulates our natural
propensities—but does not essentially alter them. They are
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Christianized, sanctified, and consecrated to God—but remain the
same.
Mary had faith in Jesus, she believed him to be the Messiah, and
received him as sent of God. She loved Jesus, and therefore valued
his company, and prized his word. She enjoyed the company of Jesus,
and therefore sought him out, and continued with him. She expected
to get good from Jesus, and therefore took and kept her seat at his
feet. She quietly left her concerns with Jesus, therefore if Martha
upbraids her, she allows Jesus to answer for her.
Here, beloved, is an example for us, we should believe in Jesus, as the
Son of God; love Jesus, as the Savior of sinners; prize the company of
Jesus, and therefore follow him; and cleave to him with full purpose
of heart; quietly leave our concerns with Jesus, and so live without
anxiety, foreboding or grief.
Let us look at Mary's PRIVILEGE. Jesus loved her, for if he had not—
she never would have loved him. His love is always the cause of ours.
We love him—because he first loved us. He made himself known to
her, manifesting himself unto her—as he did not unto the world. He
visited her, as the friend of the family, and the lover of her soul. He
held fellowship and communion with her, treating her as a friend.
He vindicated her, when Martha was angry with her.
Just so with every believer, for we all have the same great and
precious privilege. Jesus loves us, and loves us with an everlasting
love, therefore with loving-kindness he teaches us our need of him
and draws us to him. He makes himself known to us by the gracious
teaching of his Holy Spirit, as our Savior and unchangeable friend.
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He visits us in mercy, sometimes in the Sanctuary, sometimes at his
table, sometimes in the prayer-closet, and sometimes in the solitary
walk; and his visits are always precious. He enters into communion
with us, drawing out our hearts to himself in prayer, praise,
meditation and adoration; and he applies his truth to us, and sheds
abroad his love within us. He also vindicates his people, not always
just at the time they are reproached, slandered, or misrepresented;
but eventually he brings forth their righteousness as the light, and
their judgment as the noon-day. So we may always rejoice, that we
have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One!
We will now glance at Mary's POSITION. She was sitting at the feet of
Jesus. Most probably he was reclining on the couch, and she went
and took her place behind him, where she could hear what he said,
and occasionally get a glimpse of his face.
It is the posture of HUMILITY, she took the lowest place. She had no
wish to be seen, nor did she regard her own ease—she was intent on
getting good from Jesus.
It was the posture of ATTENTION, she wished to catch every word,
and to understand all that the Lord was saying. If Jesus is teaching—
then Mary will attend and listen.
It was the posture of a LEARNER, she was a disciple of Jesus,
therefore she sat down at his feet, that she may receive of his words.
He need not now say unto her, "Learn of me," for she was most
anxious to do so.
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It was the posture of SATISFACTION, if she could but be within the
sound of his voice, within the sight of his eye—it was enough for
Mary. Anywhere with Jesus!
It was also the posture of REPOSE, here at the feet of Jesus, she
found rest unto her soul. Her desires were satisfied, her love was
gratified, her hungry soul was fed. It was enough. The feet of Jesus
was to her—a kind of earthly heaven.
Reader, how is it with you? Are you humble enough to take a seat at
the feet of Jesus? Is it your delight to listen to his words? Are you like
a little child desiring to learn of him, and be taught by him? Are you
satisfied—if you can but get near to Jesus? Do you find sweet and
refreshing repose in his presence? If so, happy are you!
Observe now Mary's EMPLOYMENT. She was hearing Jesus. We have
not his discourse—but one could almost wish we had. But anything
from Jesus would interest Mary. She was receiving his doctrine. It is
one thing to hear—but quite another thing to receive. She saw the
beauty, tasted the sweetness, and realized the value of the Savior's
communications, therefore she drank them in as the dry ground the
rain, or the thirsty ox the water.
She endeavored to retain what she heard. She took no notes—but she
caught fast hold of the truth with her memory. She held it and would
not let it go. Like David, she hid it in her heart. Like another Mary,
she laid up those things in her heart. She felt interested in all he said,
she was riveted to the spot she had chosen, she was pleased with his
various communications, and was profited by all she heard. She
seized the opportunity offered her, and thus displayed her ardor,
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teachableness and spirituality. She sat at the feet of Jesus in the
humble cottage—and she now sits by his side in the heavenly
mansion!
Reader, how is it with you?
Do you hear Jesus, when he speaks by his servants, or in his word?
Do you receive and retain his truth?
Are you pleased with, and profited by, his teachings?
Have you Mary's wisdom, to seize opportunities to get good?
Are you teachable and spiritual as Mary was?
These are important questions, may the Lord apply them, and enable
you to answer them.
Let us ever remember, that Jesus is present in his ordinances, and
present whenever, and wherever his people meet. For he has said,
"Wherever two or three meet together in my name, there am I." Yes,
Jesus is as really present, though not as visibly, or sensibly present,
as he was in the cottage of Bethany. We may therefore do as Mary
did, we may sit down at his feet, listen and receive of his word.
But have we . . .
the open ear to listen;
the honest heart to receive;
the refined taste to enjoy;
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the faithful mind to retain;
the humble spirit to embrace;
and the willing mind to take the lowest place—as Mary had?
Too many meet where Jesus is—but . . .
do not perceive him;
do not feel their need of him;
do not thirst for his grace;
do not long for the application of his word.
To them, religion is but a form. To them, the gospel is no more than
the word of man. To them, alas! too often, it becomes the savor of
death onto death!
My soul, I charge you to take your place, as Mary did—at the feet of
Jesus. Let busy Martha be anxious and troubled about many things—
only one thing is needful—see to it that you choose the good part
which shall not be taken from you.
Go where Jesus goes.
Get near to Jesus if possible, even if you have to force your way
through a crowd, as the poor woman in the gospel had.
Keep near to Jesus—let not company, business, or any angry relative
draw or drive you away.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus—is the most blessed place under heaven!
Mary's privilege prepares for John's. Those who are willing to sit at
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the feet of Jesus, and esteem it a privilege to do so; will be raised to
lean on Jesus' bosom, and sit by his side forever!
"He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the needy from the
dunghill; to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the
throne of glory." Oh what a transition, from the dunghill, to inherit
the throne of glory! What wonders love can do! How low grace can
stoop! What privileges are conferred on worms!
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MARY AND MARTHA and other online resources are
provided by CTL.Today
Mary and Martha, J.C. Ryle Audio/Video link:
https://youtu.be/poqNFKMuNOc
Esther: https://bit.ly/2JbWxhq
Pilgrim’s Progress: https://bit.ly/2rBWwHK
J.C. Ryle eBooks: https://www.smore.com/1zv5m
The Christian In Complete Armor Choice Extracts
by William Gurnall: https://bit.ly/2LuGueM
The Fullness of Christ by Octavius Winslow:
https://bit.ly/2JukjBn
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