Mary of Bethany

Hi this is breathing welcome to the Salvation Army's words of life. The me I need to maintain a hungry knee welcome back the words of life. Everyone we are glad you're here. I'm Bernie Dick and Harold come there she is Cheryl and I are in the new studio recording this with cameras and it has been a learning experience required. We hope that you're not too distracted by our unprofessionalism will not enjoy it meant this week in our series with Lieut. Col. Helen start were studying the story of Mary of Bethany stories interesting because in one instance she shows us that sometimes God just needs us to be still.

But in another she almost blames Jesus for Lazarus is that I mean I think I think she represents a lot of us right at that duality of like we want. We believe right, but then there that those moments were like why did you do this to Mary now and then.

She's also the one that sits at his feet and just soak up his presence right and and so I think it represents a lot of us and that's the ordinary moments of life right.

Those are the things that we deal with that. Jesus intersects and he says it's okay, it's all good. I am here to bring light to that, but it's hard to be still as were people of action want to do things fishing the Salvation Army Bernie were doing the most good. Ray true in several contributions of money, time and resources so but God calls us to just sit in his presence, and we get that example from Mary and we see the art extraordinary things that God does through Mary just in those moments she can do anything. We hope you enjoy this series with Col. Helen Sarah.

She's a friend and she's a wonderful teacher. So enjoy before removing today's study I think often and wish that biblical parents had not like the name Mary quite so much.

This is Mary of Bethany and this movie can only be titled can't buy me love we find her story in Luke 10 and 11. Mary's demonstrated acts of love and devotion. Show us not only what motivates her, but how her heart speaks. This movie has a small cast Mary of Bethany, her sister Martha, Lazarus, their brother Jesus and his peeps.

The set is even smaller to houses and into Martha has invited Jesus over for dinner. She's quite the hostess serving Mary on the other hand, her sister was probably terrible in the kitchen and was more in the way that helpful. She simply enjoyed being with Jesus. This is an intimate setting and Mary made certain she was near Jesus, and more importantly, Jesus made room for her. Mary is totally unaware that Martha is frustrated by doing all the work while she sits at Jesus feet. Jesus gently reminds Martha that Mary has chosen well. Sisters are different in comparison is the thief of joy. Maybe Mary should learn from Martha and Martha should learn from Mary. Sometimes simply being still outweighs the dirty dishes in the sink. The sisters experience fellowship heartbreak and joy. We see them heartbroken as their beloved brother Lazarus is ill and they know that he is near death.

They know that if they could get Jesus here. He would perform a miracle and save their brother Jesus already knew Lazarus was ill and waited until after he died to return to Bethany, he told his disciples. Lazarus was sleeping. He wanted to use every moment is teachable. When they arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead for days.

He finds both Mary and Martha, inconsolable. But Jesus is never too late to mend broken relationships work miracles and give second chances. Mary sees Jesus and drops to his feet. If you had been here. She sobs Jesus shares in the sisters, sorrow, his response with Mary was emotional, showing how our God truly understands human emotion to remember a time when you wept with the child, or a friend when they have been hurting. Think of how our heavenly father is moved by our tears and shares our sorrows. He wants us to come to him with our needs. He asks where Lazarus was laid an unexpected verse in this account tells us that Jesus wept.

Jesus wanted to end the family suffering and he did.

He goes to the tomb and instructs the stone to be rolled away. Many witness this event with the eyes of the world and not with the eyes of faith.

Jesus commands Lazarus to come out. There were many that day who sell a miracle.

But more importantly than seeing the miracle they met the Lord. We would hope this would be a happy ending but no, this began the road to Calvary. This is where the ordinary is raised to the extraordinary.

There is another meal. It's the Passover meal held that Simon the leper's house, we see that Martha is serving with a change of heart and different attitude.

Lazarus is sitting at the table with the others and Mary is sitting at Jesus feet. This is a harmony of love and service Lazarus fellowship. Martha served Mary worshiped.

What a beautiful combination of how we can show our love to Jesus a small perfume bottle. A years worth of wages and a treasured possession. A gift that changes history on extraordinary gift that changes history. Mary breaks the alabaster jar. She anointed and massage Jesus feet showing hospitality and care an act of love to a living person. What did it mean I love you.

I honor you I worship and adore you.

This was an act of worship and deep expression of her belief in Jesus. Mary was not at all concerned about the expensive perfume or if she would ever be able to replace it.

She pours at the perfume and spills her pride reputation and social status and in place receives clean hands and a pure heart.

The house was filled with the fragrance. It permeates the aroma was carried far and wide.

Mary understood her time with Jesus was limited and special.

Mary was not concerned about what the world would think or if they would approve. She knew Jesus was the reward and refuge and did not want to waste a moment. I think this beautiful moment was spoiled when Jesus own disciples were more concerned with the financial loss than they were with the worship sacrifice and love.

Mary showed Jesus rebuked them for this and told them to leave her alone. Jesus said she has done a beautiful thing if we follow Mary's example, we will ask ourselves what can we do or give and then we will do it or give it no matter how extravagant we are, our extravagance never out gives God's.

The title can't buy me love is so fitting. God does not care if we give them anything. In fact, he says she did what she could let me say it again. She did what she could. She gave extravagantly and extraordinarily. I pray that all of those listening will be willing to pay the cost of devotion that Jesus is calling us to do today what outward act of caring for others is he calling you to do as an expression both of your devotion and his love for the world this week. May God show you the extraordinary in the ordinary accomplish the Salvation Army's mission doing the most good means helping people with material and spiritual needs to become a part of this mission every time you give to the Salvation Army visit Salvation Army USA.org to offer your support and love to hear from you. Call one 800-2299 65 email us radio@uss.salvationarmy.org tell us how we can help share prayer requests per share your testimony. Would love to use your story on their can also subscribe to a show on iTunes or your favorite podcast work and be sure to give us a rating search for the Salvation Army's words of life, both on social media for the latest episodes extended and if you don't have a church home invite will be glad to see this is Bernie Dick join us next time for the Salvation Army's life