Good In The Head And the Hand

As promised, we conclude with snapshots of beauty and humility of our Ever-Living, Ever-Humble Master, whose example we must follow. We have no choice but to obey and follow, if we are to be His sincere, honest and true servants, showing and proving our Saviour’s mercy and grace. Remember also, that these word-pictures have been chosen for us, as the Spirit Himself will quicken them in everyone who believes and receives by faith.

We must be reminded though, that our original text brought us this picture of beauty and humility. Drink, my lord, she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink. Genesis 24: 18.

We saw Jesus with the children and O how we understood more of, ‘Good in Head but not in Hand.’ This other snapshot of Jesus quickly toppled me, for I never saw or considered it as an example of our ‘Good in the Head and in the Hand.’ Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her. Luke 10: 42b.

Luke simply informs us that, as Jesus and His disciples were on their way, they came to this village where, a woman named Martha opened her house to him. Luke 10: 38b. Luke also tells us that Martha had a sister called Mary and she simply sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to every word He had to speak. On the other hand, Martha, has become terribly distracted by all the preparations which had to be made for their special guest. Jesus is speaking and Mary is listening, drinking in every word He so graciously speaks. When Martha could take it no longer; tired, bothered and a bit angry, if you ask me, she goes to where her sister and Jesus are and tells Him to send Mary to help her. Listen to her words of exasperation, as she speaks to her guest. Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! Luke 10: 40b. Jesus knows that what Martha is doing is making good, needed physical preparations, but He also knows that what Mary is doing is making good, needed spiritual preparations. Don’t you see similarity in Jesus’ response to Martha, as His response to His disciples, concerning the little children? The disciples saw Jesus being with little children as not that important and obviously Martha saw physical, human preparations, to be a good and hospitable hostess as all important. As the disciples rebuked the least in their eyes, so Martha rebukes the younger, for being unhelpful in her eyes. She wants Jesus to send Mary away to go and help her.

Can you see how Jesus lifts down, as it were, all that He has in His Heart and Head, and lowers His Hands to exonerate and lift Mary high? Mary has chosen what is better. She has chosen spiritual preparations over physical preparations. She has chosen to spend the limited time she has with Me, listening and learning from Me, rather than spending it in the kitchen or elsewhere, preparing for Me – the Bread of Life. She has chosen to have Me - the Bread of Life – feed her, than she feed Me.

It will not be taken from her. What she has chosen is better than what you have chosen, Martha, and neither you nor anyone else will take it from her.

Receive

Head and hands must work in the Lord’s Divine giving,

If we of His food must daily be receiving,

Choose you this hour to take all He’s providing,

The Lord will uphold your better way of living.

Amen!