Let’s look at another example of spiritual formation- the story of Mary and Martha. There are a couple of accounts regarding Mary and Martha , one having to do with Mary and Martha’s priorities, found in Luke 10:37-39, and Mary and Martha’s grief in the death of their brother, Lazarus, found in John 11.
I have heard a pastor speak on this passage in Luke 10 and he gave a fresh new look on it. He said that the reason why Martha was so upset about Mary being at Jesus’s feet was not because she should be helping her in the kitchen prepare for Jesus’ dinner. He says it is because Mary was acting like a disciple , which were typically men during this time. This display of affection was unheard of for women to do at this time. If this is the case, Martha was probably trying to protect her sister because if someone heard of this display of insubordination, she probably would have been stoned. Jesus responds by saying “ it will not be taken from her.” In other words, Jesus transcends culture and the people’s need to conform to it. So, Martha’s heart was to protect her sister, not to rebuke her.
Let’s follow up with John 11: 17-28. So, given this new information about Martha, we see Martha as a woman of action. She goes out to meet Jesus, while Mary who has a heart to be His disciple, stays home. But, look at the difference in heart attitude. “ But, I know that EVEN NOW, God will give you whatever you ask.” Even though she didn’t understand what Christ was doing, she believed anyway, and went out to meet him to find Him. He asks her ‘“Do you believe this?” She replies “ Yes, Lord…”. She knows full well who He is. She knows in her heart as well as her head.
Do you know what is interesting about this passage? According to this account, Jesus chooses Martha’s reply to set the plans in motion for His crucifixion. According to John, Martha is the first person to publicly declare Him the Christ. Up to this point, people have put their faith in Him, or called Him a prophet, or not known who He was. But, it is through Martha that He uses to spread the Word that He is the Christ. Two people with the same worries and cares of this life, yet two different attitudes. Peter gets choked by the world’s standards, and Martha has the faith to set in motion a plan for reconciliation for all the world.
Which are you ? Do you merely confess Christ, or do you live it out? Are you acting like someone who believes in God or getting choked by the world? Are you being spitirually formed by loving and feeding those around you?
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