Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 51; Zechariah 13:1-9; John 11:28-44; 1 Corinthians 3:10-23; Psalm 105
One of my favorite pairings of individuals in the Bible is a pair of sisters: Mary and Martha. I appreciate them because they provide us with two different approaches toward living out one’s faith. And the beauty is that there is room in Jesus’ company for both approaches. There’s the Mary approach (“get your priorities in order and respond immediately in a heart felt way”) and the Martha approach (“dutifully respond in socially appropriate ways). Once again we encounter the contrast between the two approaches in yesterday and today’s Gospel reading. The passages from the 11th chapter of John tell the story of Jesus’ raising of Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus. In John’s telling of the story, Jesus intentionally waited to see the siblings until Lazarus had died so he could use the situation to reveal God’s glory. The difference between the sisters’ response to Jesus’ delayed appearance is telling. When Jesus finally shows, Martha said (in a respectful and dutiful way): “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11:21-22). Even in the midst of her overwhelming grief, Martha goes to great lengths to clean up her raw emotions and use the situation as an opportunity to express her faith. Mary was different. In today’s passage, Mary let’s loose when she sees Jesus finally showing up. She says simply: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32) In the depths of her grief, Mary includes no affirmation of faith as Martha did. And what was Jesus response? Did he walk away offended by Mary? No. The very next verse reads: “When Jesus saw her (Mary), and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved and troubled in spirit” (John 11:33). And then Jesus wept with them. The story reminds me that the loving spirit of Jesus has room for BOTH our Mary moments AND our Martha moments. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all definition of faith. Today, let us continue to give thanks for our relationship with a God that allows us to not only think outside the box – but have a faith that defies boxes as well. Til next time…
One of my favorite pairings of individuals in the Bible is a pair of sisters: Mary and Martha. I appreciate them because they provide us with two different approaches toward living out one’s faith. And the beauty is that there is room in Jesus’ company for both approaches. There’s the Mary approach (“get your priorities in order and respond immediately in a heart felt way”) and the Martha approach (“dutifully respond in socially appropriate ways). Once again we encounter the contrast between the two approaches in yesterday and today’s Gospel reading. The passages from the 11th chapter of John tell the story of Jesus’ raising of Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus. In John’s telling of the story, Jesus intentionally waited to see the siblings until Lazarus had died so he could use the situation to reveal God’s glory. The difference between the sisters’ response to Jesus’ delayed appearance is telling. When Jesus finally shows, Martha said (in a respectful and dutiful way): “If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask” (John 11:21-22). Even in the midst of her overwhelming grief, Martha goes to great lengths to clean up her raw emotions and use the situation as an opportunity to express her faith. Mary was different. In today’s passage, Mary let’s loose when she sees Jesus finally showing up. She says simply: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32) In the depths of her grief, Mary includes no affirmation of faith as Martha did. And what was Jesus response? Did he walk away offended by Mary? No. The very next verse reads: “When Jesus saw her (Mary), and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved and troubled in spirit” (John 11:33). And then Jesus wept with them. The story reminds me that the loving spirit of Jesus has room for BOTH our Mary moments AND our Martha moments. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all definition of faith. Today, let us continue to give thanks for our relationship with a God that allows us to not only think outside the box – but have a faith that defies boxes as well. Til next time…
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