John 11:20

Interestingly, while Mary, through grace, had earlier demonstrated the most honorable course of action by sitting and soaking at the Lord’s feet and subsequently receiving Jesus’ commendation, in our verse for today, we now see her sister Martha, again through grace, choosing the “one thing needed” which was to be with Jesus. The absence or silence of Jesus had prompted Martha to value His presence all the more and yet Mary stayed at home. In our verse for today and in the verses below we are privy to see the strengths of the different temperaments of each sister fleshed out, each shining forth in the circumstance most conducive to their make ups. We find in Luke the following:

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

In the above passage we see Martha distracted by duties keeping her from enjoying the peace that comes from simply being at the feet of Jesus. Likewise, in our verse for today, we see Mary missing His presence through mourning. Such are the failings of the flesh. Our tendency, like Martha, may be towards the busyness of this world constantly distracted by the tyranny of the urgent. Our focus on the Lord lost in the “To-Do List” of today sadly missing God’s best for our lives which, of course, is Jesus. Perhaps our temperament is more akin to pensive Mary, meditative, contemplative and meek – missing Jesus by sitting passively at home crushed and stunned, paralyzed by the weight of affliction and grief. Certainly both of these holy women were disciples of our Lord yet through Scripture we find in each temperament the failings of the flesh which misses God’s best. This should be a heads up for us as well. What keeps us from fixing our eyes on Jesus? Whatever it is, we need to handle it – lay it aside, keep from being entangled or ensnared by it, or we will certainly miss God’s best and we really don’t want to go there. We are told by the writer of Hebrews:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb 12:1-3 (NIV)

We see wonderful examples throughout Scripture of those who rightly choose to rest in the Lord’s presence through trials and tribulation, through sickness and suffering, through sorrow and solitude, receiving the blessing that most assuredly comes by seeking refuge in Him. King David comes to mind as one who constantly wrote of finding his strength and refuge in the Lord. We find this to be his habit in the following examples of the Psalms he penned:

1 O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me, Psalms 7:1 (NIV)

9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalms 9:9-10 (NIV)

2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:2-3 (NIV)

When all his men had turned against him and even talked of stoning him because of their bitterness of spirit over the loss of their sons and daughters, Scripture tells us David’s initial actions proving, yet again, God to be his stronghold and ever present help in times of trouble:

6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. 1 Sam 30:6 (NIV)

This should be a heads up for us as well. David’s first resort – his most expedient course of action – which should be ours as well – was turning to the Lord, fleeing to Him for safety and refuge. Here he found strength, safety, satisfaction and peace. It is no wonder God calls him a man after His own heart.

“Nearness to Christ, intimacy with Him, assimilation to His character – these are the elements of a ministry of power.” Horatius Bonar

“There is a place of quiet rest, Near to the heart of God; A place where sin cannot molest, Near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God. There is a place of comfort sweet, Near to the heart of God; A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God. O Jesus blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God. There is a place of full release, Near to the heart of God; A place where all is joy and peace, Near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us, who wait before Thee, Near to the heart of God.” Cleland B. McAfee