MARY’S CHOICE

“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42 NKJV).

The Lord Jesus was visiting the home of Mary and Martha. During this visit, Martha became very upset with Mary because she was doing the household chores by herself. Mary had chosen rather to sit “at Jesus’ feet” to hear “His word” (Luke 10:39). Opportunities of this kind were rare, and Mary would be a good steward of her spiritual opportunities. After Martha’s complaint to the Lord Jesus about Mary, He counseled Martha. Our verse is part of that counsel. It speaks of priorities and praise.

Priorities – “One thing is needed.” Martha had her priorities backwards; she did not put spiritual matters first. Instead of being all taken up with the cares of the house, she should have been sitting listening to the Lord. The cares of the house were not wrong, but spiritual matters should come first. The phrase “One thing is needed” refers to the welfare of the soul. It is to take precedence over all other concerns in life. Yet, the world puts little priority on the welfare of the soul. It puts every pursuit in life ahead of spiritual pursuits. However, the admonition of the Lord Jesus is, “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33). That is the right priority in life.

Praise – “Mary hath chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” For her choice, Mary received high praise from the Lord Jesus. Mary chose the “good part” of life. Most folks choose the bad part. The good part has to do with hearing the Words of the Lord Jesus Christ and have communion with Him. The world does not praise us for these things, but God does, and it is His praise that really matters. The phrase: “Which will not be taken away from her” meant that Mary’s choice had eternity in view. Time spent in the Word of God and in prayer will be of great benefit for eternity. So many things that we do will only benefit us temporarily. But studying the Word of God and praying will bring eternal blessings.

(Adapted from Butler’s Daily Reading 3)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Our priorities reveal our values, and our values reflect our heart’s allegiance to God!”

Charles Stanley (1932 - 2023)

American Pastor, Theologian and Author

Word Study

Eyewitnesses

In Luke 1:2 we read, “Just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us" (NKJV).

“Eyewitnesses” is the Greek word autóptēs (αὐτόπτης = ow-top'-tace). It is made up of two words: “autós” which means self or himself, and “óptomai” which means to see. Literally, the word means self-seeing. Thus, the word refers to one who has personal experience, those who know the facts firsthand. The medical term autopsy is derived from this Greek word. The Gospel of Luke is like a carefully performed “autopsy” of the life, death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. This reflects the conviction that the Christian faith is rooted not in speculative creation but in history, in reality. The point is that we can trust Luke’s record (his eyewitness account).

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God” (Luke 1:30 KJV).

Did You Know…

One of the things that a priest could not do was to shave his head bald (Lev. 21:5).

Bible Quiz

According to the Book of Galatians, what does the apostle Paul say that Abraham’s two wives represented?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: Where did the Lord Jesus say you put a lit candle? On a candlestick (Matt. 5:15).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“SAVIOR”

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 NJKV).

1. Meaning – SAVIOR speaks of the Lord Jesus as the One who came into the world to rescue people from sin and guilt, mankind’s true problem

2. Insights – The despised shepherds were the first to receive the announcement of the gospel. They were the first to learn of the “great joy which will be to all people.” To these lowly men, the angel gives the highest theology. These despised men heard the most wonderful thing about how this joy comes. It comes through the birth of a “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Further, they understood that the gospel is not just for Israel but for all the nations. Being a “Savior” makes the Lord Jesus Christ relevant to all mankind because all mankind needs a “Savior.”

Did You Know – Christian History

Lewis Tappan was born May 23, 1788 in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was an abolitionist and one of the founders of the American Missionary Association.

Lewis was not always evangelical, although his parents were. At age fifteen, with only eight dollars in his pocket and the small Bible his father had given him, Lewis left home for Boston. In this strange city, Lewis attended the Federal Street Church, a center of Unitarianism. Unitarianism was good for business, and to Lewis seemed more natural and sophisticated than the Christianity of his parents. However, Unitarians denied the divinity of Christ. Fortunately, Lewis met the Rev. Lyman Beecher who spoke to him about God’s salvation through a Redeemer. Lewis eventually gave his life to the Lord.

Lewis accepted an offer to enter business with his brother Arthur in New York City. Though Arthur Tappan & Co. made over a million dollars annually, the Tappan brothers lived modestly. They believed their money was entrusted to them by God to do good. As a result, they became actively involved with many volunteer associations that were spreading Christian truth - the American Bible Society, the American Tract Society, the American Home Missionary Society, the American Education Society, the American Temperance Society, the American Sunday School Union, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and the American Seaman's Friend Society. The brothers helped build Broadway Tabernacle for evangelist Charles Finney and heavily supported the newly formed Oberlin College, open to blacks and whites alike.

Lewis also suffered for his convictions. Because he spoke out strongly against slavery and for racial equality, pro-slavery mobs burned his home to the ground in 1834. In 1835, fire destroy much of the business he shared with his brother. The situation worsened with the 1836 financial collapse. Demands from British creditors increased, and southern customers began taking their business elsewhere because the Tappan’s urged the abolition of slavery. The company owed over $1,100,000. Many evangelical Christians could not believe that such a disaster could befall the Tappans who had done so much good for others. The Tappans, however, did not complain, but tightened their belts and moved into a boarding house. They put all their know-how and contacts to work and repaid all of their debts, with interest in 18 months. Whether it was in business or in social reform, Lewis Tappan saw God as his companion in all he did. He was often unpopular, but his commitment to use his wealth for the good of others never faltered.

A Little Humor

One summer evening during a violent thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small boy into bed. She was about to turn off the light when he asked with a tremor in his voice, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?” The mother smiled and gave him a reassuring hug. “I can’t, dear,” she said. “I have to sleep with Daddy.” A long silence was broken at last by his shaky little voice: “The big baby.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Jesus invested His life in you; have you shown any interest?”