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
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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.
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