Perceptions part 2

Shortly after the resurrection of Lazarus from the grave, the story continues to play out as a sequel in John’s 12^th Gospel chapter.  As a testimony that life goes on, we are invited to dinner at the home of Martha.  In attendance are 5 people: Lazarus plays the part of the newly resurrected product of love.  Also in attendance are 4 other characters that play the part of every person alive today.  Our objective is to place ourselves in the seat of Lazarus.  As we examine each character we do so in hopes of discovering which one most embodies the heart of God.  If repentance is necessary, may we progress to do so, that we may be more like Christ.

Here’s a little snack:  The first character to be mentioned as our example to follow is Martha.  Verse 2 seemingly gives us so little to work with in light of Martha’s character: “There they made him a supper; and Martha served:” At first glance we might react to Martha’s character with the reflex of obligation.  It is, after all, our natural instinct to want to serve our Lord enthusiastically… especially in the days that follow our witness of His greatest miracle of resurrecting power.  Humble servants are needed in the ministry of God.  Servants help to bring precious souls into the Kingdom, nurture and train them after baptism, that they might return to a servants life to do the same.  Serving is a good thing… isn’t it?

If all we knew of Martha was the one word that embodied her character in this scene, we would be left give her an A+ in the area of service.  But God was careful to allow us a more accurate glimpse into the heart of Martha in Luke’s Gospel.  Luke chapter 10 reveals a side to Martha that might cause our heart to flutter with Holy Spirit conviction.  Jesus was meek in His review of Martha. As Mary sat at the feet of our Lord, Martha was true to her nature, and served the Lord frantically.  Verse 40 – 42 read like this, “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The truth of Martha’s heart of service was revealed.  It wasn’t her service that caused her much grief that day.  It was the spirit by which she served.  She was serving the Lord in a spirit of competition.  She was weighing her service in comparison to that of her sister Mary.  Oh that she had served with a servant’s heart and not the heart of bitterness toward others who were not.  What an example to us all of how not to serve our Lord!  May our service to Him be a for of worship to Him.  May we serve Him because it is our delight to do so and not as an obligation in the form of an exchange of services. In other words, may we not serve the Lord as if we can repay Him for His power of resurrection on our soul.  That kind of service will lead to bitterness and strife toward others who aren’t serving as we are serving.

May we delight in simply knowing Him- thus serving Him with delight.