Bible Women: Mary of Bethany

Mary of Bethany

Luke 10, John 11, John 12


Mary of Bethany, and her sister Martha  together with their brother Lazarus,  share an important part in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth.

Mary is presented in scripture as a student, a woman with a meek and quiet spirit which is of great price to God, 1 Peter 3:4 "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price".  She is also presented as a worshipper.  Mary is contrasted with her sister Martha, who will be covered in another study.

We first read of Mary in the book of Luke,  and it is here that Mary is presented as a woman who puts her desire to learn the words of the Lord Jesus as her first priority, as such going against her sister Martha's wishes.   Luke 10:38-42 "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, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, 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."

How can we  reach others before we learn his word and apply it to our own lives?   The Lord Jesus places great importance in  sitting at his feet and learning of him, and says that "Mary hath chosen that good part" .  Learning of the Lord Jesus is uppermost in her life, above the will of others to do lesser things than learn from him.  And he says "which shall not be taken away from her."   Nothing shall be more important that learning of him.  And so should we apply this teaching to our own lives. Matthew 10:36-39 "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Mark 8:34 "......Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."  Nothing should come before our devotion to the Lord Jesus, and following Him.