Today’s Picture: Jesus with Martha and Mary by Jan Vermeer
Jesus’ Family and Friends: Martha & Mary
A bolt-hole in Bethany. A place to stay with friends near Jerusalem.
He loved this pair and their brother Lazarus. A strange family unit, but then no mention of husbands or wives in a Gospel doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t exist.
These were friends with whom Jesus could relax.
From the Gospel story it looks like Jesus was happy enough to go into the house of two women.
Martha behaved like a woman was expected to in her day and culture and prepared the food,
Mary behaved like a disciple and listened to Jesus.
Jesus is happy enough to support Mary’s reversal of traditional gender roles.
Today’s Prayer
Preparation: Begin by stilling; then dedicate the time of prayer to God and ask God that all you think, feel and imagine are for the glory of God.
Gift: Ask for what you desire. Suggestion: To love Jesus more dearly.
Setting: Imagine yourself in the house of Martha.
Perhaps you are one of the sisters, Lazarus, one of the disciples or Jesus himself.
As the little domestic episode happens, how do you react?
Where do your sympathies lie?
Luke 10:38-42 HCSB
While they were traveling, Jesus entered a village,
and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
She had a sister named Mary,
who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said.
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked,
“Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
So tell her to give me a hand.”
The Lord answered her,
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things,
but one thing is necessary.
Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Conversation: Talk to Jesus as a friend about whatever comes to you.
Imagine how he might reply.
Final Prayer: End with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father.
Today’s Music
Today’s Music: Be Still for the Presence of the Lord by Aled Jones
Click for more music from Aled Jones