Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-09

ClSsIn@ it, however, for both or
them greeted Jesus with the same
words-no, not the same, for Mar
tina added something. She expresses
the faint suggestion that there is
something yet that He can do. COG
will do anything that He asks, she
is sure: and she knew that COG
is all-powerful. She is not sure
that Jesus can do anything p1ot
than act AS medium. So then o.
CURED that conversation with
Jesus in which He led her from
a vague belief in a general resur-
rection, which all Jews Except the
Sadduceesl had, TO a definite faith
in Him as the source of all life.
Then she called Mary, who arose
and came quickly to where Jesus
was, and fell at His feet. Mary at
the feet Of Jesus again. No sugges-
ton on her part; just the same eX-
precision of confidence on her part
in His presence that Martha had
used; and then an attitude of wait
ing, waiting for Him to suggest
what shall be done.
AT the tomb, Mary is still waiting
on her Lord, trusting Him to CO all
that is necessary and best. But
Martha is stilled distracted, and in
terferes, Again she is rebuked by
Jesus: gently though, no sting in
what He says. And when the dead
brother walks out alive, many of
the Jews who came out to comfort
Mary believed. They were Mays
friends who believed, not Martha's.
At Supper ~
Six days before the Passover we
have another glimpse of the two sis
tiers. This time they have had
plenty of time to prepare the meal;
but just as we might have expected
Martha is still serving, and Mary is
again at Jesus feet. Martha has
learned her lesson, she is no longer
the busybody trying to do the many
things and not doing any of them.
She is wanting to express her love
for Jesus and her gratitude for the
light and joy that He has brought
into her home-her. husband healed
of leprosy and restored to his fam
lily; her brother raised from the dead
and sharing their fellowship again;
and best of all her own heart at
rest because of the Christ-control
that is therein now. Her natural
way of expressing her love is by
serving, but now she can serve and
still be in His presence. His re-
Dukes have brought her to herself
and she finds JOY in service in His
presence now.
Mary is again at His feet Having
finished again her share of the work
she slips up to her room, opens the
drawer that held the dearest pos
session that she had-her box of
nard. given Aer by her lover, like
an engagement ring-comes quietly
into the room, breaks it and anoints
the feet of Jesus. The fragrance of
the nard filled the house, and the
fragrance of her act of wholehearted
devotion has filled a world. and
heaven. She was severely criticised,
by JIdus ftrst, but then by all the
disciples. There are always those
who are ready to criticiSe lavish
love. But Jesus said, She hath
done what she could''-not just as
little as she could get by with, as
we use the expression today; but she
had gone her limit; there was moth
ing left that she could do.
Furthermore, Jesus said that this
should be a perpetual memorial of
her love, for better than anyone
else she understood Him. She alone
of all His disciples had grasped any
conception at all of His teaching
that He must die; and in amounting
His head and feet she was anticipat-
ing His burial
So we have the two sisters. How
often children of the same parents,
raised in the same surroundings,
differ so widely. Martha, distressed,
torn to pieces, all in a teapot.
TEMPEST, trying to do too many
things; rather cross with Jesus, be-
cause she had lost control of herself.
Martha, with an 4 indefinite faith,
nervous, restless, having to keep
busy to keep contro'; fearful sug-
costing to the Lord what He should
do and what not. But yielding fin
ally to His control and finding an
epression Of her love and gratitude
in service in His presence
And Mary deliberately choosing
the best and doing what She has to
do that she may have ample time
for the best. Mary, at home waiting
for the Master to call her and. then
arising quickly and coming to Him;
Mary, without a suggestion, leaving
everything in Jesus hands, and
trusting Him to do what He thinks
best. Mary, eercising that quiet in
fluence over her friends, impressing
them so in her hour of trial that
they believe on Jesus when they see
the things that He did. Mary, law
ishing her love upon her Lord, Civ
ing Him her best, leaving nothing.
undone that she could have done;
Mary, keen of understanding spirit
ual things. Mary, at the feet. of
Jesus learning, trusting, worship
ping. Others came to Him to get
what He had to give; Mary, closest
of all His friends. came to Him to
give what was His due.
Which one will you follow, the
good or the best?