Maria chose the better

Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived in Bethany, about three kilometers southeast of the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem. Jesus came to the house of the two sisters Mary and Marta.

What would I give if I could see Jesus come to my home today? Visible, audible, tangible and tangible!

“But when they moved on, he came to a village. There was a woman named Marta who took him in »(Lukas 10,38). Martha is probably Maria's older sister because she is named first. «And she had a sister, whose name was Maria; she sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his speech »(Luke 10,39).

Mary was so fascinated by Jesus and therefore did not think twice about sitting down on the floor with the disciples in front of Jesus and looking at him enthusiastically and expectantly. She reads every word from his lips. She can't get enough of the twinkle in his eyes when he talks about his father's love. Every gesture of his hands she follows with her gaze. She can't get enough of his words, teachings and explanations. Jesus is Heavenly Father's reflection. "He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn before all creation" (Colossians 1,15). For Maria, looking into his face meant seeing love in person. What a fascinating situation! She experienced heaven on earth. It was the fulfillment of the promise in the Old Testament that Mary was allowed to experience. «Yes, he loves the people! All the saints are in your hand. They will sit down at your feet and learn from your words »(5. Moses 33,3).

God promised this gathering to the people of Israel. We too can sit at Jesus 'feet and absorb Jesus' words intensely and believe his words. We will almost be shocked when we read on in the Gospel of Luke: «Marta, on the other hand, did a lot of work to look after the welfare of her guests. Finally she stood in front of Jesus and said, “Lord, do you think it is right that my sister let me do all the work alone? Tell her to help me! " (Luke 10,40 NGÜ).

The intimacy of Jesus and Mary is shattered by Marta's words and their feelings. Reality overtakes both of them. It is true what Martha says, there is a lot to be done. But how does Jesus react to Marta's question: «Marta, Marta, you have a lot of worry and trouble. But one thing is necessary. Mary chose the good part; that should not be taken from her »(Luke 10,41-42). Jesus looks at Martha just as lovingly as Mary. He acknowledges that she is taking a lot of worry and trouble.

What is necessary

Why is the One necessary that Mary did on this day? Because it is so pleasing to Jesus at this point. If Jesus had been very hungry that day, if he had been tired or thirsty, then Marta's meal would have been necessary first. Let us imagine that Maria had sat down at his feet and could not have recognized his tiredness, had not noticed his suppressed yawn and stormed him with many questions, would this have been gracious and sensitive? Hardly likely. Love does not insist on the achievement of the other, but rather wants to see, feel and determine the heart of the beloved, his attention, his interest!

What's the good part of Maria?

The church, the congregation of Jesus have always read from this story that there is a priority, a priority. This priority consists symbolically in sitting at the feet of Jesus, in receiving and hearing his words. Listening is more important than serving, because those who have not learned to listen cannot serve properly or are very likely to serve to the point of collapse. Before doing comes hearing and before giving comes knowing and receiving! “But how are you supposed to call someone you don't believe in? But how are they supposed to believe in him whom they have not heard from? But how are they supposed to hear without a preacher? " (Romans 10,14)

Jesus' dealings with women were unbearable and provocative for the Jewish community. But Jesus gives women absolute equality compared to men. Jesus was not prejudiced against women. With Jesus, women felt understood, taken seriously and valued.

What did Maria recognize?

Mary realized that it depends on the relationship and concentration with Jesus. She knows that there is no gradation of people and that there are no different values. Mary learned that Jesus was paying all his attention to her. She recognized her dependence on Jesus' love and returned it with her care and love for Jesus. She did not focus on keeping God's old covenant commandments, but on Jesus' words and person. That is why Mary chose the one thing, the good.

Mary anoints the feet of Jesus

If we want to better understand and understand the story of Mary and Martha in Luke, we should also look at John's account. It's a very different situation. Lazarus had been lying dead in the grave for several days, so Marta said to Jesus that he already stinks. Then they got their brother Lazarus back from death to life through Jesus' miracle. What a joy for Mary, Marta and for Lazarus, who was allowed to sit alive at the table again. What a beautiful day. «Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a meal, and Marta served at table; Lazarus was one of those who sat at table with him »(John 12,1-2).
We wonder what day was it for Jesus? This event took place six days before his arrest and the certainty that he would be tortured and crucified. Would I have noticed that his look was different than usual? Could I have seen from the look on his face that he was tense or would I have noticed that his soul was sad?

Today on that day Jesus was in need. That week he was challenged and shaken. Who noticed? The twelve disciples? No! Maria knew and felt that today on this day everything is different. It was clear to Maria that I had never seen my Lord like this before. «Mary then took a pound of pure, precious nard anointing oil and anointed the feet of Jesus and dried his feet with her hair; but the house was filled with the scent of oil »(John 12,3).

Mary was the only person who had an inkling of how Jesus felt now. Do we now understand why Luke wrote that it only takes one thing to see Christ and look at him? Mary recognized that Jesus is more precious than all earthly treasures. Even the greatest treasure is worthless compared to Jesus. So she poured the precious oil on Jesus' feet to give Him a benefit.

«One of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, said, afterwards, who betrayed him: Why was this oil not sold for three hundred silver groschen and the money given to the poor? But he didn't say that because he cared about the arms, but he was a thief; he had the purse and took what was given »(John 12,4-6).

300 silver groschen (denarius) was the basic salary of a worker for a whole year. Mary bought the precious anointing oil with everything she had, broke open the bottle and poured the precious nard oil on Jesus' feet. What a waste the disciples say.

Love is wasteful. Otherwise it's not love. Love that calculates, love that calculates and wonders whether it is worthwhile or in a good relationship, is not real love. Mary gave herself to Jesus with deep gratitude. «Then said Jesus: Leave them. It should apply to the day of my funeral. For you always have the poor with you; but you do not always have me »(John 12,7-8).

Jesus placed himself completely behind Mary. He accepted her devotional thanks and appreciation. In addition, Jesus gave her devotion a real meaning, for without her knowledge Mary had anticipated the anointing on the day of the burial. In the parallel passage in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus added: “By pouring this oil on my body, she did that she prepared me for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be said in remembrance of her "(Matthew 26,12-13).

Jesus is the Christ, that is, the anointed one (Messiah). It was God's plan to anoint Jesus. In this divine plan, Mary had served impartially. Through this, Jesus reveals himself to be the Son of God, worthy to be worshiped and served.

The house was filled with the scent of the devoted love of Mary. What a fragrance if a person does not express his faith in the smell of sweat of his arrogance, but in love, compassion, gratitude and full attention, just as Mary had turned to Jesus.

Conclusion

Six days after this event, Jesus was tortured, crucified, and buried. He rose from the dead after three days - Jesus is alive!

Through the faith of Jesus, he lives his life with his love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in you. Through him you have received a new, spiritual life - eternal life! You are already in an intimate relationship with him and live with him in perfect, limitless love. “It is about an incomprehensible miracle that God has in store for all people on this earth. You who belong to God are allowed to understand this mystery. It reads: Christ lives in you! And so you have the firm hope that God will give you a share in his glory »(Colossians 1,27 Hope for all).

When did you sit down at Jesus' feet and ask him: What do you want me to do today? Where and with whom are you working today? What concerns you, Jesus, especially today or what worries you today? Focus on Jesus, look to him so that you are the right person, at the right time, in the right place, with the right approach, like Mary was with Jesus. Ask him every day and every hour: «Jesus, what do you want from me now! How can I thank you for your love now How can I now share with you what moves you. "

It is not your job, in his place or in his apparent absence, to do his work of your own accord, which can only be done in his spirit and with Jesus. "For we are his work, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2,10). Christ died and rose for you so that he may live as the living through you and with you and so that you may receive constant gifts from Jesus. So in your gratitude you should also give yourself to Christ by accepting and doing the good works prepared by Jesus.

by Pablo Nauer