Jesus’ Personal Teaching
Several times in scripture, Jesus gives personal teachings to His disciples. Today, we see that those lessons also included women.
We don’t know how long the relationship with Lazarus and his sisters lasted. They may have been early followers of Jesus. What we do know is that Jesus visited their home when he was in the area. Lazarus isn’t mentioned in the story today, but I don’t doubt that he was sitting by Jesus, listening to His teachings too.
I wonder how big the group was that Jesus brought with Him on this visit. I can’t imagine that He brought EVERYONE who was following Him. Did He bring all of His disciples? Did they disperse throughout the city, so as not to burden one home? Or was Martha, Mary, and Lazarus’ home so large that it accommodated Jesus and all His disciples?
Whatever the arrangements, Jesus was at the home of Martha and Mary. Let’s rejoin our story of Jesus’ travels. We will back up a little bit and look at His journey on the way to their home.
Holy Spirit, lead the journey. Tell the story for me so that I can see clearly the events You want to share with me. Help me be like Mary, who could think of nothing more than sitting at Jesus’ feet.
♥ ♦ ♥
It’s a long journey. Jesus and His disciples are headed for Jerusalem. From the Sea of Galilee, ultimately, to the Temple in Jerusalem. Jesus knows that this will be His final journey this direction. He WILL return to the region, but not before His death. His time is quickly approaching.
Jesus isn’t like the other Jews. He has no problem going through Samaria to shorten the distance. He ministers to the Samaritans whenever He passes through.
As they are walking along, Jesus calls to James and John.
“Go ahead of us into the first village you come to in Samaria. Ask them to prepare a place for us to stay the night.”
“Will You be teaching them as well” asks James.
“No. Only passing through. We are on a very important mission. We are going to Jerusalem. That is our final and ultimate destination.”
James and John hurry up ahead. They are still not completely comfortable socializing with Samaritans, but they will NOT refuse Jesus. When they come to the village, they seek out the elders. Like in most Jewish villages, they are near the gate. James and John go to stand before them.
“Our Teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, wishes us to arrange lodging in your village for the night.”
“We have heard of Jesus of Nazareth. Will He be staying long” the head elder asks with some excitement.
“No. He is determined to go to Jerusalem. He only asks for one night’s lodging for Himself and those who accompany Him.”
“Is He ‘too good’ to spend any time with us? He spent time in other villages and cities.”
“No. That is not the issue. As I already said, He is determined to get to Jerusalem. He has no time to spare.”
The head elder’s face turns hard. “If He has no time to spare on us, then we have no rooms to spare for Him, or those who travel with Him. He is NOT welcome here.”
James and John can barely believe their ears. The Samaritans, refusing Jesus entry. James and John will NOT beg of these people. They briskly turn on their heels, shake the dust from their sandals, and hurry back to Jesus.
Jesus can see in their eyes as they approach that there is trouble. “What is the trouble” He asks before they even begin speaking.
James answers. “The Samaritans have refused You entry. When we told them of Your determination to be on Your way to Jerusalem, they flat out refused any assistance.”
Jesus nods. “Then we will not stop there. We will press on.”
As they start walking beside Jesus, John falls in step with Jesus and asks; “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” (Luke 9:54).
Jesus stops in His tracks and turns to face John. “NEVER!” He shakes His head. “I cannot believe that you would even think such a thing. Have you learned nothing from Me?”
John’s eyes drop to the ground.
“Have I called fire down on anyone? No. I have not. Not even the Pharisees who constantly try to trap Me with their words. God will judge the hearts of the people.” Jesus takes a deep breath. “Even the cities that refused to accept you on behalf of Me are still standing. Your witness against them was to shake the dust off of your feet as a testament to God’s future judgment against them.”
James speaks up. “We did this Teacher, as we were leaving.”
“Then, that is all that is required; or allowed. God has seen your actions. HE will be their judge.”
“I’m sorry, Master” John says.
“All is forgiven. Let’s have no more talk of it.”
Jesus leads His group the longer way around the region of Samaria. They stop for the night in a village along the way.
Three days later, Jesus and His group arrive in the town of Bethany. This town holds special significance to Jesus, as He has several close friends here. One such family is Lazarus and his two sisters; Mary and Martha.
Lazarus is a wealthy man and always welcomes Jesus and those who travel with Him with open arms, a full table, and a warm place to stay. This visit is just as welcoming, even though He has a larger than usual group with Him.
Lazarus is trimming his grape vines when he sees Jesus approaching.
“Jesus!” Lazarus calls out as he sees Him approaching. Lazarus drops his tools and hurries over to embrace Jesus.
“It is good to see you My friend” Jesus replies from the embrace.
Lazarus steps back and holds Jesus at arm’s length, examining Him. “You look hungry” he says after a moment.
Jesus laughs. “You always say that, My friend. But today, you are not wrong. Is there room at your table for all of us?”
“There is always room for any who accompany You” Lazarus says, spreading his arms wide.
The two friends talk amiably about what is going on in their lives as they make their way to Lazarus’ home. When they enter, Lazarus calls out; “We have guests!”
Mary and Martha appear from the kitchen. They were already preparing a midday meal for the three of them. Both women are all smiles as they greet Jesus.
Martha looks beyond Lazarus and Jesus. She notices a large group of men standing just outside the door. Her eyes go wide and she starts calculating how much she will have to prepare for a crowd this size.
“You are staying for dinner, are You not” Martha says with little hesitation in her voice. Her heart’s desire is to serve people in a physical way. To show them hospitality.
“A meal would be most welcome. But nothing elaborate” Jesus sternly admonishes.
Martha bows her head slightly and hurries back to the kitchen. As she exits, she grabs Mary’s hand and pulls her along.
“We need to make more bread, bring in some of the bigger grapes, some of the meat from the store house,…”
“Martha” Mary says.
It takes a minute for Martha to respond. She is still making her list. She shakes her head when she sees Mary standing there. “What?”
“Jesus said, ‘Nothing elaborate.’”
Martha waves her hand at Mary. “Men always say that, but they never mean it.”
Mary shakes her head in exasperation. For once, she is grateful that they have a few servants. With what Martha has in mind, it might take an army to finish.
The two sisters, and all the servants Martha can pull, get to work on the meal. There are about fifty mouths to feed.
Voices from the next room seep into the kitchen. Mary’s heart is pulled towards Jesus’ voice. He is giving a private teaching to Lazarus and His disciples. Mary longs to be in His presence. To absorb His words.
“I’m going to take some wine in for them” Mary says.
Before Martha can respond, Mary grabs three flasks and several cups. She disappears from sight, headed straight to where Jesus is sitting. When she enters, she doesn’t want to disturb Him, so she sets the drinks down on a side table. Then she creeps through the crowd of listeners until she is practically at Jesus’ feet. She could reach out and touch them, if she wanted to.
After a while, Martha notices Mary’s absence. She asks one of the servants; “Where did my sister disappear to?”
“She said she was taking drinks into the men.”
“That was some time ago! What is keeping her?”
The servant merely shrugs her shoulders and continues on with her tasks. Martha returns to hers, expecting to see Mary, at any moment, come walking through the door. The longer Mary is delayed in returning, the more frustrated Martha becomes.
Finally, Martha has had enough. She wipes her hands on her apron. Before leaving the kitchen, she gives instructions to the servants. “Keep working on the dinner. I will be back right away.”
Martha walks into the other room and starts looking around. She sees the drinks set out on the side table, but no Mary. After a moment, she hears Mary’s voice coming from deep within the crowd.
“How does that happen, Teacher?”
Martha’s eyes search out the source of Mary’s voice and find her sitting at Jesus’ feet. Martha is frustrated beyond belief. She has been working her fingers to the bone, preparing a meal for Jesus, and Mary sits here doing nothing to help.
Martha pushes her way into the group until she is standing beside Jesus. “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:40) Martha says while pointing at Mary.
Mary’s face goes red. She starts to rise, but Jesus puts His hand out towards her. He turns to Martha and shakes His head.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
Martha’s mouth hangs open for a moment. Then she shuts it. She works her way back out of the crowd and retreats to the kitchen. Her eyes are brimming over with unshed tears. As she returns to her kneading, some slip past her lashes and land in her bowl. She quickly swipes at her tears with the back of her hand. Jesus’ words stung her heart, but she doesn’t know how to let go like Mary does. It is not in her nature.
After finishing the bread, Martha looks around the kitchen. “Maybe Jesus did mean ‘Nothing extravagant.’”
Martha begins to put away the pieces that still had not been started yet. The servants look at her strangely. After a minute, she turns to them and says; “This will be enough. Let’s put it on the table.”
Martha watches over the bread as the servants load the table with what has already been prepared. Once the table is ready, Martha assigns one of the servants to watch over the bread and goes back into the room where Jesus is teaching. She stands near the back of the group and listens. Her heart is stirred as well. She waits to announce that dinner is ready until she sees the bread being brought from the kitchen.
“I don’t want to interrupt, but dinner is ready” Martha says meekly.
Jesus nods and smiles. “Thank you Martha. I’m glad you decided to join us too.”
Martha ducks her head as a blush appears across her cheeks.
Once everyone is reclining at the table, Mary helps Martha pass the dishes and keep the cups full. The meal is very good and plenty enough for all those in attendance.
Jesus raises His cup. “I want to acknowledge those who prepared this meal and set it before us. But I also want to remind them to choose that which will last.”
Martha joins the group as they gather around Jesus after dinner. She asked the servants to clear and clean for her. For once, she chooses to set aside her role as ‘hostess’ and become a ‘pupil’ instead. Jesus’ eyes glow with love as He looks at her beside her sister.
“You have chosen well” He says before moving onto explaining a parable one of His disciples asked about.
(to be continued)
My husband has the ‘Martha’ personality in our home. He is always offering people something to eat or drink. Trying to make sure they are comfortable. I’m always about the business that brought them here. Be it dropping off paperwork or coming for a visit. I mentally kick myself sometimes when I hear him offering them a drink. “I should have done that” I tell myself.
I have often pushed other ‘responsibilities’ into the background to ‘sit at Jesus’ feet’. I get frustrated when my time with Him is interrupted. I have had to learn how to curtail this as well. Especially as of late. My husband’s needs have increased significantly and I’m trying to play ‘catch up’; on sleep in particular. I determined today NOT to let the lack of sleep keep me from sitting at Jesus’ feet. I’m glad I did. I chose what will last. And the rest, He will help me work through it.
Father God, thank You for helping me stay awake. Thank You for sparking the story in my heart so that it kept me enthralled in it. Thank You for showing me too, what will last. Help me find a good balance in this ever-evolving role I have. I KNOW that You placed me here for a purpose. Let me fill it with Your love, patience, and mercy.
