Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Bonjour, mes Amis merveilleux in Christ! Yes the ole fella gone français (smile). It’s the end of another week, time for all believers to renew their spiritual beings. And what better way to do that than at the feet of the Master, as Mary did? None really. We all know the story of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, who, when Jesus visited them in Bethany, a couple miles away from Jerusalem, Martha busied herself in the kitchen preparing a meal for her guests, while Mary ensconced herself at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. Obviously Martha was somewhat miffed at doing all the work with Martha just lolling by. And since Jesus was a much-valued friend and guest, Martha must have been preparing a big spread, with all the attendant work. This led Martha to complain to Jesus: ‘Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.’ (Luke 10:40) But instead poor Martha was rebuked. I’m sure she was surprised, though knowing Jesus’ nature, it was surely gentle. ‘And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (worried) 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.’ Oh Friends, we’ve all had that kind of situation to deal with, where we’re busy trying to rustle up food for our hungry visitors, but instead of helping us, a household member is in the gathering talking and laughing. We usually view it as selfishness and/or laziness on the other person’s part, and it certainly raises our ire. But Jesus had a different take on the subject. Now the scholars claim that Jesus’ words can be taken in one of two ways. The first is He was telling Martha not to worry with any elaborate preparations for the meal, something simple would do, something she could prepare without Mary’s help. On the other hand, which I think is more likely, Jesus is saying that the one essential thing is spiritual nourishment, the nourishment that Mary craved. Jesus was perhaps also implying that Martha herself should leave the housework for a spell and come and listen to Him, concentrate on the more important matters at hand. I believe that Jesus was referring to the latter way because in Capernaum, having walked across the Sea of Galilee at night, the crowd was mystified and asked how He’d gotten there, since they’d never seen Him take a boat. Jesus rebuked them too, saying that they weren’t really interested in Him for the miracles, but because they saw Him multiply the food, and as hunger was rampant, they would follow wherever He went in the hope of getting food. However, He cautioned them: ‘Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.’ (John 6:27) The same goes for us my people. We should not be like Martha, impatient and overly concerned with the unimportant things of this world, but rather be like Mary, filled with spiritual desire, seeking wisdom and understanding, discernment re the things of heaven. Remember Jesus also rebuked Lucifer when he tempted Him in the wilderness to turn stone into bread, quoting Moses to the children of Israel. (Deut.8:3) ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’ (Mat.4:4) So though we do need earthly food to provide nourishment for our physical bodies, what we need more than anything else is the spiritual food of the Word of God to satisfy and replenish the hunger and longings of our spiritual beings. Jesus made that very clear in all of His teaching. The Father and His Word are to be the most important thing in a man’s life. And even before Jesus came, that man after God’s heart, Bruh David, proudly and eloquently declared the same thing when he penned that moving psalm, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation.’ He put it thus: ‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty (delightfulness) of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.’ (Ps.27:4-6) Ah my Friends, that’s how our lives should be lived: Seeking the Lord and His beauty, dwelling in His LOVING-kindness, under the umbrella of His protection, while continually singing songs of praise and thanksgiving, living a life that will glorify His Holy Name. It’s the ONLY right way to live. So let’s live it nuh. Much LOVE!…the Word…the Word…it’s all in…and about the Word…
Bonjour, mes Amis merveilleux in Christ! Yes the ole fella gone français (smile). It’s the end of another week, time for all believers to renew their spiritual beings. And what better way to do that than at the feet of the Master, as Mary did? None really. We all know the story of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, who, when Jesus visited them in Bethany, a couple miles away from Jerusalem, Martha busied herself in the kitchen preparing a meal for her guests, while Mary ensconced herself at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. Obviously Martha was somewhat miffed at doing all the work with Martha just lolling by. And since Jesus was a much-valued friend and guest, Martha must have been preparing a big spread, with all the attendant work. This led Martha to complain to Jesus: ‘Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.’ (Luke 10:40) But instead poor Martha was rebuked. I’m sure she was surprised, though knowing Jesus’ nature, it was surely gentle. ‘And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful (worried) 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.’ Oh Friends, we’ve all had that kind of situation to deal with, where we’re busy trying to rustle up food for our hungry visitors, but instead of helping us, a household member is in the gathering talking and laughing. We usually view it as selfishness and/or laziness on the other person’s part, and it certainly raises our ire. But Jesus had a different take on the subject. Now the scholars claim that Jesus’ words can be taken in one of two ways. The first is He was telling Martha not to worry with any elaborate preparations for the meal, something simple would do, something she could prepare without Mary’s help. On the other hand, which I think is more likely, Jesus is saying that the one essential thing is spiritual nourishment, the nourishment that Mary craved. Jesus was perhaps also implying that Martha herself should leave the housework for a spell and come and listen to Him, concentrate on the more important matters at hand. I believe that Jesus was referring to the latter way because in Capernaum, having walked across the Sea of Galilee at night, the crowd was mystified and asked how He’d gotten there, since they’d never seen Him take a boat. Jesus rebuked them too, saying that they weren’t really interested in Him for the miracles, but because they saw Him multiply the food, and as hunger was rampant, they would follow wherever He went in the hope of getting food. However, He cautioned them: ‘Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.’ (John 6:27) The same goes for us my people. We should not be like Martha, impatient and overly concerned with the unimportant things of this world, but rather be like Mary, filled with spiritual desire, seeking wisdom and understanding, discernment re the things of heaven. Remember Jesus also rebuked Lucifer when he tempted Him in the wilderness to turn stone into bread, quoting Moses to the children of Israel. (Deut.8:3) ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’ (Mat.4:4) So though we do need earthly food to provide nourishment for our physical bodies, what we need more than anything else is the spiritual food of the Word of God to satisfy and replenish the hunger and longings of our spiritual beings. Jesus made that very clear in all of His teaching. The Father and His Word are to be the most important thing in a man’s life. And even before Jesus came, that man after God’s heart, Bruh David, proudly and eloquently declared the same thing when he penned that moving psalm, ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation.’ He put it thus: ‘One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty (delightfulness) of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.’ (Ps.27:4-6) Ah my Friends, that’s how our lives should be lived: Seeking the Lord and His beauty, dwelling in His LOVING-kindness, under the umbrella of His protection, while continually singing songs of praise and thanksgiving, living a life that will glorify His Holy Name. It’s the ONLY right way to live. So let’s live it nuh. Much LOVE!…the Word…the Word…it’s all in…and about the Word…
SCRIP-BITS 