Mary & Martha

[Not me]

One of my favorite stories in the Scripture is the story of Mary@Martha. This is one that meant so much to me growing up. The fact that Mary had chosen to sit at Jesus’s feet and learn of Him, rather than off busy about serving Him. I have always found comfort in Jesus’s statement “and it will not be taken away from her”. Meaning that even though many will think she’s not serving Jesus correctly, and many will say you must to this or that, Jesus response was “she has chosen the good thing and it will not be taken away from her” Even though it looks contrary to what human reasoning would dictate. Jesus says “one thing is important and Mary has chosen the good thing.” As time went on, I’ve come to realize that there’s a great difference between knowing about Jesus and knowning Jesus.

So to deny self, pick up cross and follow Jesus. So that when all is said and done, and I stand before Him, I actually will have done that. For I see that anything other than that is something less than that. To be found in Him not having a righteousness of my own, which comes from that which I can do, but one that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Oh what a great and wonderful salvation we have in Christ. That we might know what that salvation consists of by experience.

much love to His body, Not me

 

[JackRT]

Here is an interesting take on the story of Mary and her sister Martha. Martha is scurrying around preparing a meal and is getting a little overheated because Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him teach. Martha comes to Jesus and asks him to tell Mary to get up and help her. The fact that she asked Jesus rather than going directly to her sister says something in and of itself. In that culture a married woman could be directed only by her husband. To go to the wife directly when her husband is present would be an insult to the husband in that very patriarchal society. We can draw each of us our own conclusions here. And yes I do believe that Mary the Magdalene and Mary of Bethany are the same person.

 

[JackRT]

Here is an interesting take on the story of Mary and her sister Martha. Martha is scurrying around preparing a meal and is getting a little overheated because Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him teach. Martha comes to Jesus and asks him to tell Mary to get up and help her. The fact that she asked Jesus rather than going directly to her sister says something in and of itself. In that culture a married woman could be directed only by her husband. To go to the wife directly when her husband is present would be an insult to the husband in that very patriarchal society. We can draw each of us our own conclusions here. And yes I do believe that Mary the Magdalene and Mary of Bethany are the same person.

 

[Doug Melven]

This is one of those Bible stories I absolutely love.
I have always been of the opinion that if Martha had sat at Jesus' feet as well, He would have fixed a n=much better meal than Martha and Mary could have done together. After all, Jesus came to serve and not be served.

And Martha came to Jesus about Mary because Martha knew Mary had great respect for Jesus and would do what Jesus said to do.

 

[R. Hartono]

Mary had chosen to sit rather than off busy about serving Him>

About people busily working in church but they hv no forgiving hearts

 

[Not me]

This is one of those Bible stories I absolutely love.
I have always been of the opinion that if Martha had sat at Jesus' feet as well, He would have fixed a n=much better meal than Martha and Mary could have done together. After all, Jesus came to serve and not be served.

And Martha came to Jesus about Mary because Martha knew Mary had great respect for Jesus and would do what Jesus said to do.

It is a great story isn’t it. Thing is it’s true, not a parable, it actually happened, which to me gives it that much more punch.

Much love, Not me

 

[Not me]

Yes, love from a pure heart is the goal.

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[R. Hartono]

Yes, love from a pure heart is the goal.

A sick man was lying on the pavement in front of a big church, He was desperate, nobody from the church Helped him not even a glass of water, until He was taken by overcrowded beggar shelter

 

[icxn]

I think both work and reading are necessary, although the latter is more important. The following story from the Desert Fathers comes to mind:

A brother came to visit Abba Silvanus at Mount Sinai. When he saw the brothers working hard, he said to the old man: "Do not work for the food that perishes. For Mary has chosen the good part." Then the old man called his disciple: "Zachary, give this brother a book and put him in an empty cell." Now, when it was three o’clock, the brother kept looking out the door, to see whether someone would come to call him for the meal. But nobody called him, so he got up, went to see the old man, and asked: "Abba, didn’t the brothers eat today?" The old man said: "Of course we did." Then he said: "Why didn’t you call me?" The old man replied: "You are a spiritual person and do not need that kind of food, but since we are earthly, we want to eat, and that’s why we work. Indeed, you have chosen the good part, reading all day long, and not wanting to eat earthly food." When the brother heard this, he repented and said: "Forgive me, Father." And the abbot Silvanus answered him, "So Martha is necessary to Mary, for because of Martha is Mary is praised."​

 

[Not me]

I think both work and reading are necessary, although the latter is more important. The following story from the Desert Fathers comes to mind:

A brother came to visit Abba Silvanus at Mount Sinai. When he saw the brothers working hard, he said to the old man: "Do not work for the food that perishes. For Mary has chosen the good part." Then the old man called his disciple: "Zachary, give this brother a book and put him in an empty cell." Now, when it was three o’clock, the brother kept looking out the door, to see whether someone would come to call him for the meal. But nobody called him, so he got up, went to see the old man, and asked: "Abba, didn’t the brothers eat today?" The old man said: "Of course we did." Then he said: "Why didn’t you call me?" The old man replied: "You are a spiritual person and do not need that kind of food, but since we are earthly, we want to eat, and that’s why we work. Indeed, you have chosen the good part, reading all day long, and not wanting to eat earthly food." When the brother heard this, he repented and said: "Forgive me, Father." And the abbot Silvanus answered him, "So Martha is necessary to Mary, for because of Martha is Mary is praised."​

Jesus said “one thing is important”

You say “both things are important”

I wonder who I should listen to?

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Mary choose to sit with the disciples at His feet and that was the good choice. I think the difference being pointed out between Mary and Martha’s form of service can also be seen in that bit of scripture that is commanded by Jesus to be preached wherever the gospel is preached and that is about the alabaster jar being poured over Him in preparation for His death and burial. Then it was the choice among the disciples of being for Him or for the ‘cause’. Which is what I think we see happening here with Mary and Martha. Food preparation, just like the poor, will be a need always present, but when His Presence is there amongst His disciples one need only sit and listen deeply to Him and in doing so are able to respond appropriately according to His need.

 

[icxn]

Jesus said “one thing is important”

You say “both things are important”

I wonder who I should listen to?

Much love in Christ, Not me

Isn't the subject of Christ's teaching to do that which is good? I don't think you really believe that we only need to fill our head with knowledge and do nothing about it. After all, in your first post you did say, "deny self, pick up cross and follow Jesus."

 

[Dave-W]

And yes I do believe that Mary the Magdalene and Mary of Bethany are the same person.

Mary from Bethany and Mary from Magdala are the same?? How? Those are 2 different cities. Magdala was on the Sea of Galilee and Bethany was just east of Jerusalem.

Magdala, the Home Town of Mary Magdalene, Is Being Resurrected

 

[JackRT]

Whenever the female disciples are mentioned in the Bible, Mary Magdalene is always the first named. In the literary tradition of the time the first named is always the most important. Mary Magdalene is even named ahead of Mary his mother. Even the name Mary Magdalene may be informative. Mary "of Magdala" seems not to be correct since there is no solid historical or archaeological evidence that there ever was such a town. Another possible interpretation of the word "Magdalene" is that it is derived from an Aramaic word meaning roughly "the most important". Early Christian writers have sometimes referred to her as "Mary the Great" and also as the “Apostle to the Apostles”.

 

[Doug Melven]

Isn't the subject of Christ's teaching to do that which is good? I don't think you really believe that we only need to fill our head with knowledge and do nothing about it.

Nobody is saying that those who worship all the time don't do what God says.
I believe those who worship all the time do what God wants done much better than the Martha's of the world.
God isn't interested in what we can do for Him. He wants to do what He wants to through us. Galatians 2:20

 

[Dave-W]

Mary "of Magdala" seems not to be correct since there is no solid historical or archaeological evidence that there ever was such a town.

You did not read the article? It is being excavated.

 

[JackRT]

You did not read the article? It is being excavated.

At least one scholar regards this site as a location of unknown name that is being "exploited".

 

[Not me]

Isn't the subject of Christ's teaching to do that which is good? I don't think you really believe that we only need to fill our head with knowledge and do nothing about it. After all, in your first post you did say, "deny self, pick up cross and follow Jesus."

Yes I do believe Jesus, when He said “one thing is needful”. It is the same truth that He brought forth, when He said “abide in Me”. Whether you want to call it “abiding” or “sitting at His feet” it is the same truth, just using different words. There are many truths, in Gods Word, that He uses different words to bring them forth. This truth of “abiding” or “sitting” understood and applied correctly, is the one truth that will cause a believer to “bare much fruit”. Prayers for you as you press into Him, that you might be conformed to His image.

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[Not me]

About people busily working in church but they hv no forgiving hearts

Why did you edit my post; what I wrote was;

“The fact that Mary had chosen to sit at Jesus’s feet and learn of Him,rather than off busy about serving Him.”

Not;

Not me said: ↑
Mary had chosen to sit rather than off busy about serving Him

Why would you change it like that? It changes the meaning. Does not the Spirit of Christ tell you that’s not Christ like?

Much love in Christ, Not me

 

[Not me]

This is one of those Bible stories I absolutely love.
I have always been of the opinion that if Martha had sat at Jesus' feet as well, He would have fixed a n=much better meal than Martha and Mary could have done together. After all, Jesus came to serve and not be served.

And Martha came to Jesus about Mary because Martha knew Mary had great respect for Jesus and would do what Jesus said to do.

Haaa, I interesting thought about the meal??? Maybe?

Much love in Christ, Not me