Mary and Martha

Time with Jesus - Thursday, 14 June 2012

Hi all,

The story of Mary, Martha and Jesus is featured today. I’ve tried to make it relevant for the 21^st century including the pressure placed on working men and women in South Africa.

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Thursday, 14 June 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	Mary and Martha
In January 1974, I returned to South Africa with my family. Altogether I’d been out of the country for fourteen years. Getting into RSA in those days was rather complicated. The application forms were horrendous. Apartheid was in full swing and the authorities wanted to make absolutely sure that I wasn’t bringing undesirable elements here. Of course, in those days, anything Non-European was undesirable. South Africa had left the Commonwealth and many of the laws were draconian. They wanted to know everything about everything. Presumably all this was examined by the security people. It took about six months to process. Then we got the green light to travel from Heathrow to Jan Smuts airport, as it was called in those days. The plane landed at Nairobi and most of the passengers were allowed to stretch their legs in the transit lounge. Those who had South African passports were not allowed to get off the aeroplane. So my first view of Africa at ground level was of Kenya, through the aeroplane windows. The South Africa I had left and the one I returned to was different. Although apartheid was well and truly entrenched, the flavour of society, as a whole, appeared more prosperous than in the 1950’s. The Rand was very strong. The exchange rate was R1.8 to the £. Twenty years later it was nearer R10 to the £. The pace of things was much slower than it is today. I was taken on by what was called the Electricity Supply Commission; abbreviated ESC. The comment was that it represented Easy, Slow and Comfortable. Certainly the pace was much slower than today. My working hours, were from 08h00 to 17h00. There was no question of working after hours, unless it was for a specific task. This meant that there was time in the evenings for family life. This changed rapidly as sanctions began to bite into the life of working men and women. By the middle of the 1980’s, a twelve hour working day had become normal. Today people are under such pressure, that there is hardly any time for family life. I’m reminded of a “hit song” of the 1950’s called “16 Tons”. Each verse included the phrase, “I owe my soul to the company store”. It seems as though there is no longer any choice. When Jesus visited the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Mary had time to sit down and listen to Jesus as He taught the people. Today all three have become so busy working for the “Company Store” that there is no time to spare. I suppose if Jesus visited any South African home today, He would be hard pressed to find anyone there at all. He may well rebuke us for not finding time for Him or His ecclesia. But if we don’t work the sort of hours industry demands today, we will be dismissed and the job given to someone willing to put up with the hours and conditions. In South Africa with unemployment being a major problem, few people are willing to take the risk of being put out of work. There are also many deeply committed Christians in our country. People who want to have a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In view of this we need to revisit our concept of what we see as “Church”. We have to make time to sit at His feet in a way that is meaningful. The early church managed it at a time when the great majority of the Christians were impoverished slaves. We haven’t quite got there yet. But we all need to take a close look at our priorities and find a way whereby every aspect of life can reflect the greatness of Jesus. Jim & Phyllida Strickland			41 The Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. 42 There's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 GW 24 "Think about the ravens. They don't plant or gather crops. They don't have any storerooms at all. But God feeds them. You are worth much more than birds! Luke 12:24 NIrV 27 "Think about how the lilies grow. They don't work or make clothing. But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all of his glory was dressed like one of those flowers. Luke 12:27 NIrV 29 "Don't spend time thinking about what you will eat or drink. Don't worry about it. 30 People who are ungodly run after all of those things. Your Father knows that you need them. Luke 12:29-30 NIrV 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:8-10 NLT 19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. Mark 4:19 NLT 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT	Tom, Dick and Harry, Felicity and Joan. “We are always tired”, is their collective moan. “They seem to be so busy; they’re running round all day. They never seem to have the time, to meditate or pray. “I’ll do it when I’m finished. There’s still so much to do. It would be very helpful to share the work with you. I’ve got to spread the table and position all the knives. The guests are so important. Perhaps they’ll bring their wives? These curtains must be taken down, then quickly washed and dried. I hear they like potatoes; whole or mashed or fried? I’d better telephone them. But what about the tea? The water’s nearly boiling. Please see to it for me. The towels in the bathroom; the sheets upon the bed; The paper for the toilet; They have to be well fed; The napkins for the table; This cloth is getting old; What about the cutlery? The silver or the gold? What about the seating? There could be ten or more. Should I put the coat rack, right next to the front door? What if it is raining and everything gets wet? What about the airport? My brother may forget. It may be he is rather late. Perhaps a traffic jam?” My daughter, pause and listen, your every need, I AM! Does it really matter if it’s wet or if it’s dry? If there is an error, you do not have to cry. Look at your priorities. I think you’ve got them wrong. If you run around like this, you’ll hasten death along. Change your way of thinking. Look at the birds that fly. You know My Father feeds them; on that they all rely. Now think about the lilies that grow out in the field. They’re better dressed than anything a “fashion mag” might yield. And as for food and clothing. There’s always been enough. I challenge you to look around and call the devil’s bluff. You don’t need pots of money. Man’s wealth can be a snare. I want you free from worry. Don’t think I do not care! Don’t let your frantic actions kill you while you’re young. There’s so much more in front of you; So much still to be done. Slacken off a little and strip off every weight. The witnesses are watching. Walk with me through your gate. Jim Strickland – Written 14th June 2012.