Martha And Mary (Poem)

Martha And Mary

Martha and Mary, two sisters together one day.
Each sought to follow Jesus in their own unique way;
Martha was so busy still, but Mary would not be dismayed:
She wanted to spend time with her Master - with Jesus, come what may.

Nothing wrong with serving, but what is the end goal of your life?
Do you desire the Saviour more than the bustle and the strife?
Would you rather be so focussed, with everything placed so neat -
Or does your spirit and soul crave to worship at His feet?

In all of our opportunities, with each day that we face,
What’s the outcome, what’s the priority, when everything finds its place?
Did we seek to spend more time with Jesus, love Him more than all these things;
Did we fill our hearts with activities or with worshipping our King?

Are you more like Martha, or is Mary’s desire more your size -
Are you looking at the world, or keeping your eyes upon the prize?
Here is your dilemma - I don’t want to be contrary -
But whose example will you follow: Is it Martha or is it Mary?

January 30, 2024
Jerry Bouey

Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 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.

Taken from Spurgeon’s Morning And Evening Devotional for the Evening of May 9:

"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field... let us see if the vine flourish." Song of Solomon 7:11,12

The church was about to engage in earnest labour, and desired her Lord's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but "let us go." It is blessed working when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God's people to be trimmers of God's vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us therefore go forth into the field. Observe that the church, when she is in her right mind, in all her many labours desires to enjoy communion with Christ. Some imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively, and yet have fellowship with Him: they are mistaken. Doubtless it is very easy to fritter away our inward life in outward exercises, and come to complain with the spouse, "They made me keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept:" but there is no reason why this should be the case except our own folly and neglect. Certain is it that a professor may do nothing, and yet grow quite as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most busy. Mary was not praised for sitting still; but for her sitting at Jesus' feet. Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretence of having secret fellowship with Jesus: it is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus' feet which is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil: it is a great blessing, and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have much time to spare, but indefatigable labourers who are toiling for Jesus, and who, in their toil, have Him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with God. Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, that we can do it, and should do it in close communion with Him.