The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1923-08-09
LESSON FOR aUGUST II
MARTHA AND MARY

LESSON TFXT-Luke 1O:Ss-42: John
i1:1-46; John 12;1-e
GOLDEN TEXT-sNsry hath chosen
that good part which shall not be taken
away from her"-LlNc 1912
REFERENCE MATERIA1--Prover
11:10-3l.
Of Jesus
JUNIOR TOPIC-Martha and Mary
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOP
IC--True Friendship shown by Martina
and Mary.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Home Problems illustrated by Mar
tina and Mary
In order to properly understand
these two characters. it will be neces-
sary to look at the several narratives
In which they are brought to our view
These are three in number.
I. The Behavior Of Martha and Mary
In the Days Of Sunshine. Uuke 10 :3s-
49,
In this picture we see Martha en-
gagged in preparing a meal for Jesus.
N her effort to make the best prepara-
ton for her honored guest, she became
distracted She not only was cum
kered With much serving but she found
fault with Mary for not helping her.
She even censured the Lord for per-
hitting such neglect Martha has had
her followers in all ages. Every church
knows them. The busy, troubled and
fussy women who are engaged In serv-
ice for the Lord with little patience
for those who sit at the feet Of Jesus.
Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard His
word. She had taken her turn in the
service as the word "alsc" would i'm
ply. She did not neglect service, but
had the keenness Of perception to dis
Germ that communion with the Lord
WAS more priced by Him than the serv-
ing of meal Both Of these women
loved the Lord and 1t is impossible to
say which loved Him more. In the
days OF sunshine in this home, Mary
made the good choice Of communion
with her Lord
u. Mary and Martha in the Day Of
Great Sorrow. John II :1-460
The next scene which occupies our
attention Is the occasion Of the resur-
rection of Lazarus. In the time of the
sickness Of Lazarus these sisters had
sent for Jesus. Jesus loved the mem
bers of this household, and yet, strange
to say. He delayed His going unto
them. Martha met Him with rebuke
saying that If He had been there her
brother had not died. This carried
der such trying circumstances. This
act of Martha called forth some mar
vslOus, teachings on the resurrection
After this interview with Martha, she
came to Mary with the message Of a
call from Jesus. Mary was composed
and remained in the house until called
for She Immediately responded to
this caN and used the identical wof
Of Martha. but instead Of rebV-o-
her, He mingled His tears OF
with hers Of SORROW. The Oh y
had such composure In Thu a lity tn
was that she had patiently sat
feet and listened to His word q
she understood the manning d Pc
tragedy. The difference then inn
behavior 1t these two women in
dark hour was doubtless due to V
fact mat In the days Of sunshine Mafb
hst entered fully into fellowship with
the Lord and that Martha had lost this
grace through her frstfulness.
III. Jssus Entsrtai~ss At Bethany.
John :1-9.)
AT this supper appeared Mary
Martha and Lasarus, who was raised
from the dead. Doubtless this supper
was in grateful appreciatien Of Hts
help and sympathy In the days Of their
tr;;,l At this meal Martha WAS back
a, her old business Of serving, but It
would seem with IN unruffled disposi-
tion Mary took pound of spikenard.
very costly. and amounted the feet q
Jesus and wiped them with her hair.
This was token Of FER great love and
devotion. She was back In her &C
customed place Mt the feet of Jesus.
Vim the keen intuition Of true love,
she hro5gr1 her costliest gift as An svi-
depce Of her love. She thus ansTu'
patsd His death and burial, knowing
that she could not minister unto Him
then. The Lord received this act Of
love at its full value. Against the
foul eftsicisp q Judas Jesus defended
NAY dc declared that 1t was no
more waste thaa the ointment
placed on the bodies Of the dead
IN embalmment. In fact it was the
doing Of this very act beforehand unto
Him. Only Mary of all His disciples
had really understood Jesus when He
said He must he cruel ed and raised
again the third day The announce
nent At His crucihxion brought unto
the others dismsy They refused to
he.ie,e in the resurrection, but Mary
came to annoint His body for buryang