Home                                                    Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14: 3-9;

        Luke 10: 38-41; John 11; 12: 1-8

  Let her alone, she has kept this for the day of my burial. For the poor you have with you always, but, me you have not always" (Jn. 12: 7-8).

              Three times, at the feet of Jesus. Learning, weeping and worshipping. Silent, humble Mary of Bethany. Jesus commended her action, "Whether this gospel is preached,in the whole world what this woman has done, will also be told as a memorial to her" (Mt. 26: 6-13).  Though the story of the sisters of Bethany, Martha And Mary are linked together, it would be more beneficial to ponder upon them separately,   Mary lived with her sister Martha and brother Lazarus in Bethany. The world has been much in the habit of Setting Mary on a pedestal higher than the place Occupied by Martha. The gentle reproach of Christ to Martha has been often misunderstood. We know that Martha was somewhat disturbed because her sister left her too much to do. She felt that she needed help. Every housekeeper will understand, when there is a great deal to do in practical matters, one is sitting with hands folded, wrapped in spiritual contemplation, drinking every word of Jesus.

      Listen to the sweet and soothing words of Jesus "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but Mary has chosen that good part, that shall not be taken away from her. Martha, thou art cumbered with serving but do not forget one thing is needful". It is true, one thing is needful, and commune with Jesus day by day, moment by moment underlies all else in this world. Martha loved the Lord and she believed in Him. She knew "Do everything as unto the Lord”. Therefore she is worthy of loving admiration as her sister Mary.

        Mary is the type of woman, who fully consecrated her whole being silently to the Lord. First scene of Mary is "Mary sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word". Mary was hungry for the spiritual knowledge. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Mt. 5:6). Mary was filled and satisfied with the word of the Lord. She did not care for physical nourishment, when her Lord was there. Mary was not selfish in her withdrawal from homemaking, but she knew Martha had the ability to carry on without her.

   Mary learned from the Lord. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God, that proceeded out of the mouth of God" ( Mt. 4:4). Therefore she sat at the feet of Jesus and she commended by the Lord, "Mary had chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her"(Luke.42:10). She quietly heard the rebuke of her sister that she left her alone to do much work.

               The second scene of Mary is when she fell at the feet of Jesus as a depressed one. Her only brother Lazarus was dead and buried. While he was lick, they sent the message but Jesus arrived late. Jesus loved this family Very much but He did not arrive in time to relieve their pain and sorrow Mary knew Jesus could hea1 the sick but did not know He will raise the dead.

  When the lord came, it was it was Martha- who went ahead to meet the Lord and poured out her grief. But Mary stayed at home, till her master called her. When she was called she fe11 at his feet with sorrows and complaints just as her sister said. "Lord, if thou had been here, my brother would not have died". When Jesus saw Mary weeping, he was deeply moved in the spirit of compassion and "He wept". The shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept" (John 11:35).

 Jesus is the God of impossibilities and nothing is too hard for Him. He has created life, sustains, takes and restores life. He raised Lazarus from the dead and Mary's Sorrow turned into Joy- we can bring our Sorrow to him. He said. Call unto me and I will answer you and show Great and mighty things- which you do not know?”(Jer 33:33) Jesus said to Martha-if you believe you will see the glory of God”. Yes! The home of    The third scene is Mary at the feet of Jesus as a

Devoted servant. During the farewell visit of Jesus a feast was made in his

honor as a fellowship. There Martha stood for service, Lazarus sat with the Lord and Mary showed Ac worship of her grateful heart. Mary took a pound of expensive perfume and poured it at the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. The whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume,Judas Iscariot, a disciple indeed complained, "The ointment should have been sold for a large sum of money and given to the poor". It was worth a year's wages. He did not say this because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief. Then the Lord said, "Let her alone; against the day of my burying has she kept this for the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always" (Jn. 12: 7-8). Thus the Lord justified her act and accepted the token of her love.

    There is always chance to perform the common act of charity, but the great heroic personal privilege comes only on occasion. Mary took her opportunity and anointed the Lord before hand for His burial. She did not know how great was her act. Mary acted upon faith upon His own teaching that He was soon to die. Her was a service of adoration and worship.

   Those of who love the Lord Will pour the ointment of affection at the feet of Jesus and it will produce a sweet order for everyone whom they meet. Apostle Paul wrote,” For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death to death and to the other the aroma of the life to life" (2 Cor. 2:15-16).

           Readers of the Mary and Martha story often dwell on Jesus rebuke to Martha and praise of Mary. Yet Jesus did not consider Martha a bad person. On the other hand, he freely praised her for beong”careful and troubled about many things.” When he pointed out one thing was needed in her life, it didn’t mean for her to give up doing the daily chores that require attention. Jesus well knew the necessity of hard labor from lessons learned at Joseph’s knee in the carpenter shop and from watching his mother perform household. Duties.

   A gift is defined as something freely given from one person to another, without any agreement or contract. It is given as an expression of affection or friendship. God so loved the world and gave His perfect gift. His son for mankind. No one ever can compensate for the gift of the Savior. Christmas time people exchange a lot of gifts. Jesus said if you do good to them that do good to you what thanks have ye?

   We can give a personal gift to our Lord Jesus Christ. No gift is more precious to Him than our heart. Mary of Bethany gave her best when He was in person among them, which was great in its motive. She sat at His feet and learned His secret power and mission more than even His disciples. She was the most sensitive woman who heard him speak of His death. In complete devotion she poured the costly gift on her beloved Lord.

    Many people had done things for the Lord Jesus. Some ministered Him with their substance. Some lent him their boat, one gave his colt, and another gave his grave. But only on Mary's act Jesus commended 'Verily I say unto you, whosesoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial for her"(Mk. 14:9).

   Truly Martha for her act of courtesy and hospitality and love and Mary for her dedication, adoration and love will be remembered. One was as great as the other within the sphere of each life. We may learn and worship Him in the right time. Other women, who came to anoint the body of Jesus on the third day of his burial, were too late. Time' and 'tide' will never wait for anybody. Hence We may use our opportunity to love and serve our Lord Jesus Christ, who has done great things for us.

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