Wishing all of you

 

                                 

 

                                    A MERRY CHRISTMAS  AND

                         GOD'S BLESSINGS FOR 2021

 

 

 

P.S. I will take a short break from blogging but will post again on Monday 4 January 2021.

 

                          A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          A FAVOURED HOME PART VI 

"I, Thomas, am one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.... I have been travelling with Him throughout the country.... Whenever we are in Bethany we will visit the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus.... We love to spend time with them.... A few days ago Jesus received a message from Martha and Mary... He told us that Lazarus had become ill.... We looked at Jesus.... Was He planning to travel back to Bethany?.... That might not be safe to do.... But He did not say anything.... Instead, we stayed where we were two more days.... He then told us to get ready to go back to Judea.... We were somewhat worried about returning there.... But Jesus then told us that He would be waking up Lazarus.... We though Jesus meant he was recovering from his illness... However, Jesus told us he had, in fact, died.... Jesus told us as well that He was glad we were not there when that happened... We did not quite understand why that was the case.... Anyway, I suggested to the other disciples that we should go back to Bethany with Jesus no matter what may happen to us... So we prepared to leave.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus stayed two more days where He was after He received Martha's and Mary's message....

                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              A FAVOURED HOME PART VI

However, things do not happen as Lazarus' sisters expect as you can read in John 11:5-16

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Yet, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days. Then He said to His disciples, "Let us go back to Judea." "But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone You, and yet You are going back there?" Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." After He had said this, He went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up." His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps he will get better." Jesus had been speaking of his death, but His disciples thought He meant natural sleep. So then He told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, and for your sake, I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us to go to him." Then Thoman (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disicples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."

It seems Jesus takes no notice of the urgent request of Lazarus' sisters to come for He makes no move to leave the place where He is. Finally, after two days He and His twelve disciples decide to go to Bethany where Lazarus, Martha and Mary live.

 

 

                            A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            A FAVOURED HOME PART V

"I, Martha, am living in Bethany... I live here with my sister Mary and my brother Lazarus.... We have a very special Friend.... His Name is Jesus... He often likes to come over for a meal with His twelve disciples.... And we love for Him to spend time with us.... Recently, we had an amazing experience with Him.... It did not start off well... It started with our brother Lazarus becoming ill.... Mary and I decided we should let Jesus know that His special friend was not well.... So we sent Jesus a message to let Him know His friend was in need of His healing touch.... We were not at all worried...We just knew that Jesus would come over quickly to heal our brother.... After all, He loves him so very much.... But one day passed, two days passed.... No sign of Jesus... We did not understand why He had not yet come to us."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Martha's brother Lazarus has become ill....

 

                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 A FAVOURED HOME PART V  

Does the fact that Martha was more focused on preparing a meal than sitting at Jesus' feet mean that she does not love the Lord Jesus? No, not at all, but she remains that practical person as you can see in John 11 where we read the story of the illness of their brother Lazarus. Let's read John 11:1-4

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." When He heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it."

Martha and Mary's brother Lazarus has become ill and the sisters are expecting Jesus to quickly come and heal him.

 

                              A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          A FAVOURED HOME PART IV

"I, Martha, am living in Bethany with my sister Mary and my brother Lazarus.... Not too long ago we had Jesus and His twelve disciples over for a meal.... I was busy preparing the meal when I realised something.... I realised my sister Mary was not there to  help me.... Where could she be?.... There was only one place she could be.... She was with Jesus... I knew I should do something about that situation.... It was not proper for her to be taught by a Rabbi as a woman.... I went to Jesus.... I talked to Him.... I told Him that I needed Mary to be with me in the kitchen....His answer took me by surprise.... He told me I should not be so stressed out about the situation.... He helped me to see as well that Mary had chosen what is better....I am very grateful what He taught me that day... Will I remember what He taught me that day?... Perhaps not always.... I am, after all, a very practical person... But I hope to learn as well to spend time with Jesus as Mary knows to do."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus' reply to Martha is not al all what she expected to hear....

                        ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 A FAVOURED HOME PART IV

But does Jesus agree with Martha that her sister Mary should be in the kitchen helping her with the preparations for a meal for them? Let's read Luke 10:41-42 to find out

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Contrary to Martha's expectation. Jesus lovingly helps Martha to see she has allowed the stress of the moment to take over her life. She is, therefore, not able to recognise what matters most, while Mary, because she has been spending time at Jesus' feet whenever possible, does understand what matters most.

 

                             A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                           A FAVOURED HOME PART III

"I, Martha, am living in Bethany with my sister Mary and my brother Lazarus.... Not too long ago our good Friend Jesus came over with His twelve disciples.... It was lovely having them over.... I had gone to the market to buy more food.... It was then time for me to prepare a meal for them..... I realised Mary was not showing up in the kitchen to give me a hand..... Where could she be? Did she not know that she was needed in the kitchen?.... She could only be in one place.... She could only be with Jesus... But that was not the proper place for her.... Rabbis would never allow a woman to learn from them.... Jesus would know that.... I decided I needed to speak to Him about my sister.... So I went to see Him.... No doubt, He would sort my sister out.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Martha decides to have a word with Jesus about her sister Mary....

                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                  A FAVOURED HOME PART III

Jesus being a Jew, will know that a place of any Jewish woman is in the kitchen and not at the feet of a teacher. To be honest, Martha doesn't quite understand how Jesus can accept Mary at His feet for no respectable teacher would ever allow a woman to do so. But Jesus does and that may well cost Him His reputation one day. So perhaps she can help Him keep His reputation by telling Him to remind Mary to do what is right; to help her in the kitchen with the food preparations as you can read in Luke 10:40

But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

But things do not work out as Martha expects for when she approaches Jesus she fully expects Him to agree with her and to tell Mary off for listening to Him despite the crisis in the kitchen.

 

                              A PURPOSEFUL LIFE' NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                           A FAVOURED HOME PART II 

"I, Martha, am living in Bethany with my sister Mary and my brother Lazarus... Not too long ago we had guests over for a meal... They are very good friends of ours.... Jesus and His twelve disciples.... I had gone to the market to buy more food.... After I returned I went to the kitchen to prepare everything.... I am a very capable housekeeper.......Preparing a meal for thirteen men is not an issue for me.... However, there was so much I needed to do that I knew I needed someone to help me.... Where was my sister Mary?.... Why had she not come to the kitchen to help me?.... Surely, she must know that even I, capable as I am, can do with an extra pair of hands.... I sensed frustration rising up in me.... Mary should know that her place was with me in the kitchen.... She used to be more helpful to me even if she was not that interested.... But ever since we have gotten to know Jesus she seems to have lost interest in learning household duties.... It seems she is much more interested in learning from Jesus.... That is all very well... But at that moment, I needed her with me in the kitchen... I decided I should speak to Jesus for, no doubt, He would agree with me that Mary belonged in the kitchen with me."..... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Mary had joined Jesus rather than joining her sister Martha in the kitchen....

              ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                          A FAVOURED HOME PART II

But where is Martha's sister Mary? Let's read Luke 10:39 to find out

She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what He said.

Doesn't Mary know that she is needed here in the kitchen? It is true, Martha knows that she is a very capable housekeeper and that Mary is not interested in household duties, especially since they have gotten to know Jesus. But they are having many guests and surely, Mary must realise that right now her place is with her in the kitchen helping her with the preparations for the meal. However, knowing Mary, she has totally forgotten what she should be doing and will be sitting at the feet of Jesus, completely absorbed in the things He is teaching her.She must go to Jesus and tell Him to sort Mary out for, no doubt, He will agree with her that Mary needs to give her a hand in the kitchen in order to provide them with that delicious meal she has in mind for them. She cannot possibly be expected to do the work all by herself. Oh, if only Mary was more like her, practically minded.... Well she better go and speak to Jesus right now for there is too much to be done here.

 Today we will begin looking at a new story as follows:

                         A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES 

                                        A FAVOURED HOME PART I

"I, Martha, am living in Bethany.... I live here with my sister Mary and my brother Lazarus.... We have one very special Friend.... His Name is Jesus.... He is usually with a group of disciples.... Twelve of them in total.... They love to come to our home whenever they are in the area.... And we love for them to come over..... In fact, they are always welcome..... Not too  long ago they knocked on our door....I opened the door to see who was there.... I saw thirteen men in front of me....I knew, of course, who they were.... Jesus and His twelve disciples.... I was, of course, delighted to see them....I had them come in right away..... I did notice they seemed quite hungry..... No doubt, they had been on the road since the early morning.... It must have been some time since they had last had something to eat... I settled them down....My sister Mary joined them.... I did not say anything to her.... Hopefully, she will come to help me later in the kitchen.... I know she is not too fond of her domestic duties..... But we have thirteen hungry guests.... I may have to go to the market first before I can prepare a proper meal for them... I better hurry.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Jesus and His disciples have gone to the home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus....

                      ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; NEW TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                    A FAVOURED HOME PART I

Jesus has developed some very special friendships beyond His close relationship with the twelve disciples. These special friends include one brother named Lazarus and his two sisters Mary and Martha. One day Jesus and His team of twelve pass by their home and are invited for a meal as you can read in Luke 10:38

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named, Martha, opened her home to Him.

It does mean a lot of extra work for Martha for suddenly this meal is not just for three people but for sixteen people, including thirteen very hungry men for these men will have been on the road for a few hours already and their previous meal will have been some time ago. So Martha goes to work. First of all, she must make a quick trip back to the marker. Hopefully, she will still be able to get what she needs so she can provide her guests with an excellent meal. After all, she is known in the village for her culinary skills. Once back from the market, she gets to work in the kitchen.