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.

C.H. Spurgeon: A Quiet Heart

A quiet heart, another gem by Spurgeon..

1 Peter 3 (speaking to wives regarding adorning) "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." (this verse added by me, not part of the original devotion)

 

Isaiah 30:15 "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

It is always weakness to be fretting and worrying, questioning and mis-trusting. What can we do if we wear ourselves to skin and bone? Can we gain anything by fearing and fuming? Do we not unfit ourselves for action and unhinge our minds for wise decision? We are sinking by our struggles when we might float by faith.

Oh, for grace to be quiet! Why run from house to house to repeat the weary story which makes us more and more heart-sick as we tell it? Why even stay at home to cry out in agony because of wretched forebodings which may never be fulfilled? It would be well to keep a quiet tongue, but it would be far better if we had a quiet heart. Oh, to be still and know that Jehovah is God!

Oh, for grace to be confident in God! The Holy One of Israel must defend and deliver His own. He cannot run back from His solemn declarations. We may make sure that every word of His will stand though the mountains should depart. He deserves to be confided in; and if we would display confidence and consequent quietness, we might be as happy as the spirits before the throne.

Come, my soul, return unto thy rest, and lean thy head upon the bosom of the Lord Jesus