PRIORITIES

Time with Jesus - Monday, 09 January 2012

Hi all,

The Martha/Mary situation is widely known in Christian and other circles. What took place is difficult to understand outside the context of the male and female roles of the Jewish people of those days. To some extent African culture is similar in that domestic work was primarily done by the women. This is perhaps best illustrated with reference to what took place when men, women and children travelled from one place to another

To illustrate this, think of the journey that was made by Jesus, Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Jerusalem for Jesus’ Bar-mitzvah. The women and children would leave Nazareth and travel to the place where they would stop for the night. The women would then pitch the tents and prepare a meal for the men. The men would leave Nazareth later, after the women had departed. The idea was to arrive at the campsite in time to have the evening meal together. Before his bar-mitzvah a boy was regarded as a child and would travel with his women. After his bar-mitzvah he was considered a man and would travel with the men. A little thought about this custom helps us understand how and why Jesus was “lost” on the return journey.

In those days the women were the homemakers and this was fairly rigidly applied. The role of women in today’s Muslim countries gives us an understanding of the role Mary and Martha would have been expected to follow when guests arrived. The behaviour of Martha confirms this. However, Mary did not follow suit. We are not told why. We do know that Jesus’ attitude to women was more tolerant than was customary in those days. It’s been said that He was one of the first male advocates of gender equality. I suspect that this is true.

So Jesus was not offended when Mary sat and listened to Him teach. Martha however was irritated by what she saw as Mary leaving the work to her. Furthermore, Jesus did not rebuke Mary for laziness. What He did was comment on priorities. Both ladies were right and both should have been busy preparing for the evening meal. But Jesus indicated that this could have taken place later. They could have both listened to Him teaching. Then they could both have proceeded with the preparations for the evening meal.

Today we all have problems with priorities. It’s essential that we all establish what they are and respond accordingly. This is needed by all of us today in our busy lives.

This morning’s meditation looks at this in more detail.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland.

PO Box 1694, Randpark Ridge, 2156, South Africa.

Priorities

Priorities! Priorities! We make them every day. To rush around the kitchen, or what does Jesus say? We fluster like a housewife, getting everything prepared. But sitting at the Master’s feet; for that she isn’t spared. A meal was in the making. She had to make the bread. But what was more important, was what the Master said! The Mary/Martha saga we all know very well. Mary chose to listen. Martha couldn’t tell, That she was too preoccupied with incidental things. When she could have been hearing the Lord; The King of Kings. The problem was her gender and the things which women do. She couldn’t pause a moment, to hear His words so true. In fact she was offended, with her sister sitting there. “I think she should be helping. There’s dinner to prepare.” But Jesus answered, “Martha where’s your priority? The dinner could come later. You could sit here with me! Put aside anxiety and madly fussing round. If you would come and listen, I’m sure you would have found, Time to do the housework and hear me teach as well. Mary did the right thing, as time will surely tell. This attitude of Martha was certainly not wrong. The dinner must be perfect and satisfy the throng. But Martha’s inner spirit would not be satisfied. No mater how she worked for Him it could have been denied. We need to pay attention, if we’re to here Him speak. We may long for the water, until we’re feeling weak. We may be parched and thirsty and longing for God’s Word. But if we are too busy, His voice will not be heard. The place where we are living could be dry as dry can be. But Jesus has a sustenance that very few can see. He gives us living water; He gives life’s daily bread. He gives us all that’s needed, to do what He has said! So when we’re feeling hungry and we’re longing for a meal. The Lord will fill our belly, with a bread that is more real, Than anything the baker could lay upon your plate. And Jesus’ living water, will more than satiate. So let us set our focus, on the sustenance we need. Alter our priorities and ask the Lord to feed, Us with His living water; and bread from up above. And we will be abounding in all the Master’s love. It’s all in our priorities and that which we decide. A life of mad activity or sitting by His side. Jim Strickland – Written Monday 9th January 2012.