Coney Hill Baptist Church
Demonstrating God’s Love Together
Mary of Bethany A Better Way
Luke 10:38-42
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
John 11:17-34
17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[ from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked.
"Come and see, Lord," they replied.
John 12:1-3
1Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at
‘Mary has Chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her…’
What is this ‘better way’?
A Simple Way - She sat and she listened, seemingly she was less ‘worried and upset’ – less anxious and felt less pressure, she focussed and prioritised on ‘only one thing’.
An
A Wholehearted way - Worship, without cost, without limit (John 12:3)
This was no accident or virtue of personality, it was a choice.
We all have choices, sometimes tough ones, not between right and wrong but between good and better.
In a parallel reading Mary, ‘would always be remembered’. In our first reading, ‘it would not be taken away from her’ Part of the reason Mary’s way is better, is that it lasts, it stands the test of time. It sets the right priorities.
Conc.
Mary, on the edge but a model disciple. True discipleship is just that, not requiring centre stage or constant activism, but faithful, consistent, simple, good choices.
Office Address:
Coney Hill Road
West Wickham
Kent
BR4 9BU