Mary of Bethany-Risky Acts of Love

Introduction:

Story of Artful Eddie

Eddie was slickest of slick layers—one of the roars in the Roaring Twenties.

Eddie was a crony of Al Capone, and ran the gangster’s dog tracks. He would fix the race by over feeding seven dogs and betting on the eighth.

He had wealth, status, style—Eddie lacked nothing.

So WHY DID HE TURN HIMSELF IN?

Why did he offer to squeal on Capone?

What was his motive? Didn’t he know the consequences of ratting on the mob?

He knew—but he made up his mind. So what was the hitch?

His son!

Eddie had lived with the despicable all his life and smelled the stench of underground life—he wanted more for his son; and wanted to give his son a name. In order to do so, he would have to clear his.

Eddie was willing to take a risk so that his son could have a clean slate.

Eddie didn’t get to see his dream come true—after he squealed the mob remembered. Two gunshots later silenced Eddie. But his son lived up to the sacrifice. His is one of the best-known names in the world.

Risky Love is one the goes out on a limb, takes a chance. It makes a statement and leaves a legacy.

It is surprising and stirring. It provides acts of love that steal the heart and leave impressions on the soul.

They are never forgotten.

Mary of Bethany demonstrated one of these acts of love during Jesus’ final days of life. It took place at a dinner party in Bethany that was shared with his friend Lazarus and sister Martha.

John 12:1–2 NLT

1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him.

Within the week, Jesus would feel the sting of the whip, the point of the thorns, the iron of the executioner’s nails. And in the same week, Mary demonstrated and act of devotion—extravagant tenderness in which Jesus was the RECEIVER not the GIVER.

Matthew 27:28–29 NLT

28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. 29 They wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head, and they placed a reed stick in his right hand as a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mockery and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!”

Even with the emotions and humiliation Jesus must have felt on the cross, He was focused on His Father, and on us. Jesus knew His death would bring reconciliation with us and God.

The riskiest act of love was done for you and me!

A Tale of Two Sisters

In Luke chapter 10 we get a glimpse of family dynamics between Mary and her sister.

Luke 10:38–42 NLT

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

When looking at this passage we get the impression that Martha runs a tight ship. If given the choice between a broom or book it seems Martha would choose the broom; but Mary on the other hand would choose the book.

Which of the two sisters do you relate to the most?

What emotions do you think Martha experienced while she was in the kitchen cooking, baking, preparing while Mary sat in the other room with everyone else soaking in all Jesus had to say?

Martha seems to experience at least irritation to say the least.

Read Psalm 37:8

Psalm 37:8 ESV

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

What does Scripture say concerning anger and fretting?

Martha takes her concern up with Jesus.

It is easy to view Martha as the villain in the story.

What verses in the story give us a glimpse of the kindness in her heart? HINT: Jesus didn’t travel alone—at least 12 of His disciples were at the dinner party.

What gifts has God given her?

We must always make certain we are using our gifts for God’s glory only. Otherwise we may find ourselves using them as a means to judge others or compare ourselves to others—even to the point of resenting them like Martha resented Mary?

What warning do we find in Scripture about judging others?

Matthew 7:1 NLT

1 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.

Luke 10:40 NLT

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

What change of heart do we see in Martha?

She goes from serving to making demands of Jesus.!

Martha makes it clear she is angry with Mary. But it seems the issue is much deeper than Mary not helping.

Why do you think Martha took out her frustrations on Mary?

What compelled her to be concerned about what Mary was not doing?

Martha seems to have wanted to do right—but Jesus said she had a worried heart.

What are we to do about a worried heart?

Psalm 55:22 NLT

22 Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

When worry sits too long, it grows bigger and bigger. It can turn to sins like bitterness and resentment.

When was a time that you allowed worry to fester for too long? What happened as a result?

What does Scripture say about this?

Ephesians 4:26–27 NLT

26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

A positive lesson we can learn from Martha (and remember as we look at these women we have to look at the individuals closely connected to them. So although our focus is Mary, we have to take a look at Martha as well.)

is that she was authentic with Jesus and told Him what was on her heart—even though it wasn’t pretty.

Ephesians 4:31 NLT

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Why do you think it is important to be authentic with Jesus?

Serving God Instead of Self

An interesting aspect of these two sisters is that Martha was worried about something good!

She was serving God!

What was her aim?

To please Jesus!

As Martha worked for Him, what became more important?

Her work became more important than her Lord.

Its easy to forget who is the servant and who is to be served. Sometimes we start out serving God but end up serving ourselves.

Martha’s life was cluttered and she needed a break.

Have you ever felt like you just need a break from life?

Jesus responded tenderly to Martha and said Mary had chosen the better thing.

What is the “better thing”?

Mary had chosen to sit at the feet of Christ.

POINT TO REMEMBER:

God is more pleased with the quiet attention of a sincere servant than the noisy service of a sour one.

Its not always easy for people like Mary to come to earth—they have to be reminded there are bills to pay, clothes to wash; and that service is also worship.

But don’t remind them harshly—they are precious souls with tender hearts. If they have found a place at the feet of Jesus—don’t ask them to leave, ask them to pray for you!

Remember—the story could have been reversed. Mary could have resented Martha for not being more reflective.

Next week: we will continue our focus on Mary.

Also we have lunch planned—please let us know what you are bringing so we don’t end up with ALL DESSERTS !