Have A Mary Christmas Series

“Have A More Mary Christmas”

Luke 10:38-42

1Co 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

In the holiday season our problem in America is we have too much. Too much shopping to do, too many people to buy gifts for, and too many groups of people to share holiday get-togethers with. We end up spreading ourselves too thin and getting stressed out over all we must get done in such a short amount of time. In the holiday season we need to be careful not to get so busy that we leave God out. From duties to deadlines, desserts to make and dishes to clean, all could easily eclipse the time we have set aside to give thanks and praise God for the birth of our Savior. We’re in such a hurry at Christmas time that we write x-mas and leave Christ out of his own birthday celebration.

1.) Mary’s Approach Of Jesus

Each time we see Mary, we see her at the feet of Jesus.

A.) She Shares Her WOES John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

When was the last time you went to your knees to pray? Mary was filled with great grief, and turned to the only source to remove that grief. Who or what do we turn to in our grief? We are to be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).

While many may have great thoughts this time of year, this is the time of year that most suicides, DUIs, Spousal Abuse occur. These things happen because some don’t take it to the Lord. They have no support for there sorrows. Holidays have become their hollow days.

B.) She Spends Her WORSHIP John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair:

When was the last time worship was costly to you? David put it this way, “neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24). For most of us, church has become habitual, and not really costly to us. We have adapted a routine for our worship that is resting in a comfort zone. Even in our giving, measuring out an exact ten percent has become ho-hum and hum-drum. What about a gift for Jesus this Christmas? Above that tithe? You might find out something a member might need within the Membership from the Pastor, or what the church might need. This is your first duty. (Gal 6:10) Then, to those who are outside the house of faith. The Bible says, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40) It would be a gift to Jesus.

C.) She Soaks In His WORDS Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

Here we see Mary just listening. How important it is to just listen. The Lord speaks to us in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12), and through the Bible. This holiday season the noise of the world’s commercial Christmas can be deafening. It takes work to tune it out and to hear the Lord this time of year. The best way to know if you listening to Him is like when we are trying to listen to others. That is, are you trying to get closer to them to hear better. The Lord is trying to get us back to the relationship he had with us in the Garden. He’s taken great strides to seeing that accomplished, what have we done?

2.) Martha’s Approach Of Jesus

Before we attack Martha’s approach of Jesus, we need to see that each time we see Martha, we see her working. If you wanted something done, you went to Martha. At the death of Martha’s brother, Mary was paralized with grief over losing their brother, Martha went and sought out Jesus herself. Being a great worker is vitally important in our service to God, yet it is to be balanced with our worship.

She Sends Out A WELCOME (V38)

“…and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.”

The intentions of Martha started out very honorable. She had all intention to honor Jesus in her house. Martha was probably one like her sister who was at the feet of Jesus times before (v39). Like many of us this Christmas time with nativity scenes, angels on the tree, and carols that we sing our intentions are very honorable. This is a breathe of fresh air to Jesus who had no place to lay his head. This was refreshing to enter a house of loved ones who already held him as Lord of their life.