A LOVE STORY: THE BOOK OF RUTH

Chapter 27

MARYS AND MARTHAS,
(friends and servants)

12-16-07

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(Luke 10:38-42)  Now it came to pass, as they went [Jesus and His disciples], that he entered into a certain village [Bethany, about two miles east of Jerusalem]: and a certain woman named Martha [lady, mistress] received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary [Heb: Miriam; rebellious /// bitter], which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered [to drag all around; distracted] 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 [expressing soft tenderness], Martha, Martha, thou art careful [full of cares] and troubled [crowded; to make "turbid", i.e. disturbed] about many things: But [only] one thing is needful [full of need, necessary]: and Mary hath chosen that good part [portion], which shall not be taken away from her.

1.       (John 1:14)  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

2.       (Luke 8:14)  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares [distractions] and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection [completion (maturity), i.e. to ripen fruit] [“becometh unfruitful” Mat 13:22; Mark 4:19].

a.       (Mat 13:7)  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them [to stifle (by overgrowth) /// to wheeze, i.e. to throttle or strangle:--choke, take by the throat]:

3.       The Life Application Bible: Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. On this occasion they were both serving him. But Martha implied that Mary’s style of serving was inferior to hers. She didn’t realize that in her desire to serve, she was actually neglecting him. Are you so busy doing things for Jesus that you’re not spending any time with him? Don’t let your service become self-serving. It is important to know whom you are serving.

4.       (John 15:14,15)  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not [understands not] what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known [given to understand] unto you.

a.       Commentary: “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” with an understanding heart/mind, rather than “if ye do whatsoever I command you” as a servant in blind unthinking obedience. Friends are Marys, and by extension – shepherds. Servants are Marthas, and by extension - sheep. Both the friends of Jesus and the servants of Jesus are blessed with eternal salvation and heaven bound. Which are you? What “part” of Christ have you chosen?

(John 12:1-3)  Then Jesus six days before the passover [and the Last Supper] came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead [within this context, this phrase is an element indicating prophecy]. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus [the risen Lazarus] was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard ["myrrh", i.e. perfumed oil], very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour [fragrance: savour] of the ointment.

1.       Question: Whom did the “sweet savour” (43x), the fragrant, the beautiful aroma fill?

2.    Question: Who is the house?

Amen

Mary And Martha

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