Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Luke 10

The Savior seemed to have a special relationship with sisters Martha and Mary for as -

"...he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (New Testament | Luke 10:38 - 42)

In this experience, Martha seemed to be more focused on the traditional and I will suggest necessary responsibilities of housekeeping and service while yet her sister, Mary seemed to be more adept to being taught in spiritual things. I don't interpret Martha's reaction to one that felt overworked, but one that was concerned that Mary was not about doing a traditional role. I sense the Savior was not rebuking Martha in here sense of responsibility, but was teaching that there needs to be a balance in her life which includes the "one thing is needful" which is the "good part" of spiritual instruction.

Women in the Church must learn that one does not necessarily have priority over the other, but there needs to be a balance. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote this event -

"Mary and Martha were both faithful, devoted disciples of Jesus. Both knew he was the Son of God, Martha, in particular, so testifying when he raised their brother Lazarus from the dead. (John 11.) It appears that these sisters were on friendly, even intimate, terms with Jesus, that he visited them in Bethany from time to time, and that it was the privilege of Martha, at least to offer him the hospitality of her home.

Here we see Jesus dining in Martha's home. According to the social amenities of the day, Mary should have been assisting her sister in the serving and other details of the meal; instead, she sat at Jesus' feet feasting herself on the spiritual food which fell from his lips. From Martha's housewifely complaint and Jesus' mild reproof, we learn the principle that, though temporal food is essential to life, once a reasonable amount has been acquired, then spiritual matters should take precedence. Bread is essential to life, but man is not to live by bread alone. Food, clothing, and shelter are essential to mortal existence, but once these have been gained in reasonable degree, there is only "one thing" needful—and that is to partake of the spiritual food spread on the gospel table." (DNTC 1:472-73.)