| Devotional Hours with the Bible |
Chapter 18 |
Page 2 |
It was this that Jesus did not like in Martha — not her serving, but her hurt feeling toward her sister, and her impatient complaint of her to the Master. There is great need for Marthas in the world. Beautiful as is the Mary-spirit, it would not do if all women were Marys, for whom then would do the work which needs so much to be done in countless households? For instance, a wife and mother who would spend all her time in Bible-reading, giving no thought to the domestic duties, would not make a very happy home for her family, and certainly would not bless the Master. There is need for service.
Yea, Lord! Yet some must do
Life’s daily task work; some
Who fain would sing, must toil
Amid earths dust and moil
While lips are dumb!
While we recognize Martha by her serving, we recognize Mary also by her place at the Master’s feet. We see her always there, and she is always beautiful there. First, she sat there as a learner, drinking in the Teacher’s words. Then she came to Him by and by in her great grief, and found comfort. We see her here again in this incident in the same posture. Now, however, it is at the feast made in Christ’s honor. “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus.” Another Gospel tells us that she first poured the ointment on His head. Her act was an expression of the tenderest, most humble, most reverent love. We should bring Christ the best we have to bring. The fragrant ointment was a beautiful symbol of the love of a gentle heart. We should bring Christ our deepest gratitude and purest affection. No words could express the love Mary bore to her Master, so she put it into an act.
The record says that the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Indeed, the whole world has been filled ever since that day with the fragrance of Mary’s deed of love. We all should seek to fill our homes with the odors of love. A writer says, “I believe I should be homesick in a mansion filed with angels if my own precious friends whom I love were not within call.” While we have our own loved ones about us, we should seek every opportunity to give them the comfort and the joy of love. A home is not made beautiful alone by costly pictures on the walls, by rich carpets on the floors, by costly furniture in the apartments, or by beautiful flowers in every room, but by love which sheds itself abroad in all gentleness, kindness, patience, thoughtfulness, and tenderness.
Page 2
<< Prior Page 1 2 3 4 Next Page >>