By:
William John Hocking, Editor
THEY only who have learned of Jesus Christ, who, sit at His feet and rest in His presence can serve Him acceptably. What a revelation of the secret of effectual service is Luke 10:4242But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)! The soul of Martha was completely occupied with her service, but Mary found her heart’s satisfaction in sitting at the feet of the Lord and receiving from Him those words of life and grace which He communicated.
Christ Himself and not service must be our heart’s object. In this path we are kept lowly and have neither time nor inclination to complain of the shortcomings of others. The enjoyment of His presence and communion with Himself destroys all self-importance.
Martha was oppressed with her service, but Mary had rest of soul in the Lord’s presence. Divine intelligence followed, so that at the right moment she came forward and served acceptably (John 12:1-81Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. 4Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, 5Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. 7Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this. 8For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. (John 12:1‑8)).
Some of us find it difficult to take this place and keep it. Busied with our own plans, and filled with a sense of our own importance, we miss the blessedness of that rest and peace in which He trod this weary world (Matt. 11:25-3025At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:25‑30)). It was so perfectly enjoyed by Him even in times of the deepest discouragement, when such scriptures as Isaiah 49:33And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. (Isaiah 49:3) found fulfillment in His experience upon earth as God’s servant, bringing the deepest sorrow to His heart (for He felt the contempt of His people profoundly).
He thus turned to the Father in true submission to His will, and found His own deep joy in all the way that led to the accomplishment of the Father’s counsels. This was natural to Him as a perfect dependent man. It often happens that we reach it by a path of discipline because of the perversity of our nature. G. S. B.