MARY OF BETHANY

JOHN 11:3

A. "THEN WHEN MARY WAS COME WHERE JESUS WAS, AND SAW HIM, SHE FELL DOWN AT HIS FEET SAYING UNTO HIM, LORD, IF THOU HADST BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER HAD NOT DIED"
  1. Mary had such implicit faith in the Son of God:
    1. She believed that Lazarus would not have died had Jesus been there
    2. To her, the Son of God was Lord over life and death
  2. There is much in the story of the Bible about Mary of Bethany:
    1. That creates a deep desire for a larger measure of simple and childlike faith in our Redeemer
    2. Well might we pray, "Lord increase our faith" - Luke 17:5
B. MARY OF BETHANY
  1. Claims made by some writers:
    1. That Mary of Bethany was Mary the sinner - Luke 7:36-50; John 11:2; 12:1-8
    2. This supposition is based upon the fact that Mary anointed the feet of Jesus with oil; this was done, also by Mary the sinner
  2. Personally, I believe that Mary of Bethany and Mary the sinner were two different Marys:
    1. The information we have of Mary of Bethany is one that bespeaks of a high and noble character; there is nothing said about this Mary that is any way indicates immorality
    2. Our Saviour made the place where Martha and Mary lived His place of relaxation and rest; that would not have been the case had Mary been a questionable character
  3. Family connection:
    1. What we said of Martha was true of Mary - they were sisters
    2. That is all the information we have of both women
  4. Mary of Bethany stands out as one devout follower of Jesus Christ; she loved him and He loved her, her sister and her brother
C. A PRAYERFUL STUDY OF THE LIFE OF MARY LEADS ME TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATIONS
  1. She was one of those that hunger and thirst to hear the words of life - coming from the lips of Him who is the bread from heaven:
    1. Sitting at the feet of Jesus and drinking the saving truths He expounded was her primary concern - Luke 10:42
    2. Said the prophet Jeremiah, "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart" - Jer. 15:16
    3. We shall do well to follow her worthy example - Rev. 22:17; John 7:37-39
  2. She was an effective witness to the Saviour:
    1. "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him" - John 11:45; 12:9-11
    2. That is the great mission of the followers of Christ to be His witnesses - Acts 1:8-9; Matt. 5:13-16
  3. She was a grateful giver:
    1. Not only did she entertain the Saviour
    2. But she bought a box of spikenard and anointed the Saviour - John 12:7; that ointment was worth 300 pence - a great sum in those days
    3. She was criticized for this memorable deed; but also commended by the Lord who knew the motive of her act - "She hath wrought a good work on Me" - Mark 14:6
    4. That deed was commemorative - Mary had often heard the Lord speak about his coming death and burial - and she did this to prepare Him for those event "Against the day of My burying hath she kept this" - "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, then this also that she hath done shall be told for a memorial of her"
    5. Mary of Bethany hath chosen the better part and it shall never be taken from her. What a testimony coming from the true witness. Shall we not do our very best to follow the worthy example of Mary of Bethany


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