Mary’s Model Of Servanthood

I would love to have met Mary, the sister of Lazarus. Over and over she surprises me in how she expressed her love of Jesus.. She had a way of serving Jesus that we all could benefit from following. There are three stories of her that really stand out to me when I think about her. In each of them, she shows what true love, devotion and faith look like. I know she doesn’t get a lot of credit in the Bible, but her story will be told forever because of how she served. Let’s take a look at the first example.

In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus entered the village she, her sister and brother loved in. Her sister Martha tended to be the first yo greet Jesus whenever he would arrive. She was a hard worker who tried to be very visible in her actions of serving Jesus. While she served, Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus hanging on every word. Martha got upset and asked Jesus to chastise her, but Jesus’ response blew her away. He said, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about and Mary has discovered it, and it won’t be taken away from her.” That one thing was spending more time listening to Him than being busy for Him. 

Fast forward to John 11 and we meet up with the two sisters again. This time their brother Lazarus has died and they are upset because they sent for Jesus in time. Martha, being true to herself, was the first to run out and greet Jesus. She was always prepared for Him. But Mary stayed home. When Jesus asked for her, she ran to meet Him. She said the same thing Martha said to Him, but something was different about her response. Verse 33 says, “When Jesus saw her weeping… A deep anger welled up within Him, and He was deeply troubled.” Then it goes on to say that Jesus wept too. 

Seeing her in pain caused Jesus to weep too. He identified with her emotions and broke down with her. He understands and empathizes with our feelings too and weeps when we do. He doesn’t let us face grief and troubled times alone. Our deep feelings stir Him up as well. Because He did that for her, she was willing to do the unthinkable for Him in the next chapter of John. She took a jar of perfume that cost a year’s salary, broke it open and poured it out on His feet. This time, it wasn’t just Martha who was upset at her actions, everyone was.

Jesus’ response was similar to what He said to Martha before. He said, “Leave her alone.” When we discover the one thing Jesus wants from us more than anything, it will cause us to do things others won’t understand. We have to remember He is the one we are serving not them. If Jesus calls you to sit at His feet while others are busy about His business, sit. If He calls you to give extravagantly, give with a cheerful heart. Jesus said the story of Mary would be told wherever the Gospel is preached because she did what others wouldn’t. In all three instances, her behavior is what stood out and moved Jesus because it came from her heart.