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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 14 November 19:
John 12:2-3 — Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair.
This should be a familiar scene, Martha serving Jesus while Mary sat with the Lord. Remember the first time this took place as recounted in Luke 10?
– Luke 10:38-42 — Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “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.”
The primary difference in the two stories is Martha’s heart towards service. In both events, Martha served while Mary sat, but previously Martha served resentfully, anxiously and pridefully, comparing her effort to Mary’s lack of effort. Martha’s attitude ruined her fellowship with the Lord and with Mary, and Martha ultimately presented Jesus with a complaint rather than a humble, loving, gift of service. Martha didn’t share Jesus’ heart of grace and, therefore, was out of fellowship with Him, much like the older son who lacked the father’s heart of grace towards the younger son in the parable of the prodigal son. (Luke 15) However, today Martha serves Jesus without complaint.
Jesus changes hearts. Interestingly, Luke doesn’t record this second meal between Martha, Mary, Lazarus, and Jesus, but John does. Perhaps because John appreciated firsthand how Jesus transforms resentful hearts into loving hearts. Remember, Jesus had nicknamed John a ‘Son of Thunder’ because John had suggested Jesus call down fire from Heaven to consume a Samaritan village which denied them lodging. (Luke 9:51-56) However, after walking with Jesus for three years, John became known as the “Apostle of Love,” and John wrote about love more than any other Biblical author. John even described himself as “The disciple whom Jesus loved.” (John 13:23; John 19:26; John 21:7) Jesus transformed prideful, resentful John into humble loving John.
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. (2 Corinthians 13:5) How has God changed your heart? A good test is how you serve others. Do you serve others joyfully and peacefully without concern over reward or fairness, or do you find yourself resenting what others aren’t doing or the lack of recognition you receive from others? Does your service make you anxious and hinder your fellowship with God and with others? Or are you overjoyed to give people what they don’t deserve so you can display the grace of God to them?
– Matthew 5:41 — And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
– Luke 6:35 — But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
– Ephesians 6:5-8 — Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
– Hebrews 12:15 — See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 14 November 19: Pray that God will strengthen the love, grace, joy and peace you bring to serving others.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 