I have recently been arrested by the life of Mary of Bethany. I have read about her seemingly countless times, but the Lord has been highlighting this progression of love that was produced in Mary.
The first passage: Luke 10:38-42. Jesus, the most famous prophet in Israel, is invited into the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. The thing I so easily forget is that when Jesus comes into a region, He doesn’t come alone. He is followed by the 12, many other disciples, the sinners, the sick, the untouchables. Can you say entourage. Paint the setting out for yourself. Jesus, sitting in the central place of the house, is ssurrounded by His disciples, and anyone else who could fit in the room. The poor and sick gather round the house outside, hoping to get near the miraculous Rabbi. Based on the disciples other table-discussions (Luk. 22:24) and the prior events (Luk. 10:17-20) the topic could possibly have been a debate over who is “Jesus’ man of faith and power.” All the time, Martha is trying to feed and keep satisfied the disciples, with the story of the men who tore the roof off to get to Jesus incessantly playing over and over in her head. Stress. Amidst all the commotion, we see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. In all the accounts of Mary in the scriptures, we see her at Jesus’ feet. Mary and Martha are both occupied: Martha with all her preparations, and Mary with this beautiful Man. Martha calls her out in front of everyone. Boldness! Do You not care? Tell her to help me. In essence, “If You do care, You would tell her to help me with all this work.” Jesus answers and says that she is worried and bothered about so many things. I imagine him now turning and looking at Mary and saying, “but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” She is doing the one thing needed. She has chosen the right and good thing, and above all…she can stay right here. She is listening to My words and her position is presuming upon My love, and she can stay here. There is one thing that is needed (Luk. 10:42, Ps. 27:4) and it shall not be taken away from us!
