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The Desire of Ages
Providence. In these private interviews He unfolded to His hearers that
which He did not attempt to tell to the mixed multitude. He needed
not to speak to His friends in parables.
As Christ gave His wonderful lessons, Mary sat at His feet, a
reverent and devoted listener. On one occasion, Martha, perplexed
with the care of preparing the meal, went to Christ, saying, “Lord,
dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid
her therefore that she help me.” This was the time of Christ’s first
visit to Bethany. The Saviour and His disciples had just made the
toilsome journey on foot from Jericho. Martha was anxious to provide
for their comfort, and in her anxiety she forgot the courtesy due to
her Guest. Jesus answered her with mild and patient words, “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.” Mary was storing her mind with the precious
words falling from the Saviour’s lips, words that were more precious
to her than earth’s most costly jewels.
The “one thing” that Martha needed was a calm, devotional spirit,
a deeper anxiety for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life,
and the graces necessary for spiritual advancement. She needed less
anxiety for the things which pass away, and more for those things
which endure forever. Jesus would teach His children to seize every
opportunity of gaining that knowledge which will make them wise
unto salvation. The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers.
There is a wide field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious
work. But let them first sit with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence,
promptness, and energy be sanctified by the grace of Christ; then the
life will be an unconquerable power for good.
Sorrow entered the peaceful home where Jesus had rested. Lazarus
was stricken with sudden illness, and his sisters sent to the Saviour,
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saying, “Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.” They saw the
violence of the disease that had seized their brother, but they knew
that Christ had shown Himself able to heal all manner of diseases.
They believed that He would sympathize with them in their distress;
therefore they made no urgent demand for His immediate presence,
but sent only the confiding message, “He whom Thou lovest is sick.”
They thought that He would immediately respond to their message,
and be with them as soon as He could reach Bethany.