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DevotionMary and Martha have a story that goes far beyond what
we read in the tenth chapter of
Luke. They experienced the full range of human emotions in their
encounter with Jesus.
This week we have the opportunity to read about their encounter.
Each day we’ll have a
chance to go deeper into some aspect of their relationship with
Jesus.
Enjoy! Comments about the devotion can be E-mailed
to [email protected].
Monday, June 1
Read Luke 10:38-42
Most of us can relate to Martha. We are so busy with do many
tasks. We are distracted!
We know deep within us that we should spend more time at the
feet of Jesus listening tohim and learning more about the “one
thing.” But our focus gets pulled to all of the details
of our own life.
Jesus gently encouraged Martha to let go of her distractions.
“Martha, Martha, you areworried and distracted by many things.”
Luke 10:41 As Lena Truong shared in her video
interview Jesus wasn’t chiding Martha. Instead Jesus was
inviting her to go deeper byletting go. It’s not as if Martha had
to be less responsible. Instead it was a matter of focusabout what
was most important to her.
Today as you pray, pray that you won’t get caught up into the
many distractions of yourday.
Tuesday, June 2
Read Luke 8:26-39
At the end of this powerful healing story, the man who suffered
from demon affliction was
sitting at the feet of Jesus clothed and in his right mind. Luke
8:35
In sitting at the feet of Jesus the man was like Martha, who
also sat at the feet of Jesus and
listened to what he was saying. Luke 10:39
Jesus claimed that sitting at his feet was the way to go. At
this moment of sitting at his feet
we are nourished, we are helped, we are given the opportunity to
let go of the worries of
our day.
Today as you pray imagine yourself as Martha sitting at the feet
of Jesus. Or imagine
yourself as the man healed from demon affliction sitting at the
feet of Jesus. Then imagineyourself sitting at the feet of
Jesus.
Enjoy the imaginations! The Spirit can take you to a wonderful
place.
Wednesday, June 3
Read John 4:27-30
One part of the story of Mary and Martha was how significant it
was for Jesus to be talking
to women. Women were viewed much differently in the times that
Jesus lived than they are
today. And though our world has plenty to do to combat sexism,
it pales in comparison towhat happened when Jesus lived.
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We can see this sexism reflected in the astonishment of the
disciples when they discovered
that Jesus was speaking to a woman.
Jesus consistently was willing to break these artificial
barriers.
What can you do today to break through a barrier that we humans
create? It doesn’t have
to do with a barrier with women—though it could. As you pray,
ask God for insight in howyou can push through a barrier—push
through as Jesus did.
Thursday, June 4
Read John 12:1-8
The Mary in this story is the same Mary in the Mary and Martha
story. From a timeperspective this story from John probably
happened after the story of Jesus being at thehouse of Mary and
Martha.
In this story from John Mary was preparing Jesus’ body for
burial. Of course, some wereastonished by what happened. It was
probably too intense emotionally for some who saw
what Mary did.
Don’t take any credence to Jesus statement that the poor
will always be with us. He wasn’t
making a universal statement about poverty.
Anointing Jesus’ feet was very special. As you pray today talk
to God about this veryspecial act of Mary’s.
Friday, June 5
Read John 11:17-44
This story happened right before the story we read yesterday.
Mary and Martha witnessedJesus raising their brother Lazarus. This
story is one of the most important in the Bible. It
showed the mercy of Jesus, it showed his power, and it showed
the care that he had for
people.
Many of us learned the verse in 11:35—Jesus wept. The NRSV
translated it as “Jesus began
to weep.”
When the religious leaders saw Jesus weeping they were
astonished. “See how he loved
[Lazarus]” they exclaimed. Some were still cynical as they
asked why Jesus hadn’t stoppedLazarus from dying.
The emotion and compassion of Jesus is worth pondering. The
humanity of Jesus was
shared in a moving way in this story. Today as you pray give
thanks for this very humanresponse by Jesus.
Saturday, June 6Read Luke 10:38-42
In reading these stories of this past week we can have a new
appreciation for the story ofMary and Martha story. Both women went
through quite a lot in their relationship with
Jesus.
Ultimately both of them experienced the pain surrounding the
death of their brother,Lazarus. Then they experienced the
exhilaration of having him come back to life.
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Mary prepared the body of Jesus for burial by anointing his
feet.
They were able to spend time with Jesus in their own home in the
village of Bethany. Theyexperienced how Jesus was willing to break
cultural traditions.
Their story is a remarkable one—one that can continue to reveal
to us more about our Lord,
Jesus Christ.
