Hearing is Not Enough #2

Friday, January 6, 2023

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39 KJV).

Is hearing the Word of God enough?

Re-read Martha’s profession of faith in John 11:21-27: “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” Martha believes Jesus can raise her deceased brother.

Contrast this with Mary’s remarks in verse 32: “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.” There is nothing here along the lines of, “But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee…. I know that he shall rise again” (but these were Martha’s words in verses 22 and 24). Mary makes no comment about resurrection.

Again, remember today’s Scripture and its context, how Mary had sat at the Lord’s feet to learn His teachings, whereas Martha was preoccupied with worldly affairs. Yet, in John chapter 11, the woman who paid more attention to Christ (Mary) is now exhibiting less spiritual insight and more pessimism (negativity), and the lady who paid less attention to Him (Martha) is now demonstrating more spiritual insight and more optimism (positivity). Surely, they had listened to Jesus teach on many occasions (not just in Luke), but, regarding the application of Scripture to life, Martha (the “distracted” one) was more spiritually developed than Mary (the “listening” one!).

Doubtless, both Mary and Martha were saints, members of the Messianic Church, but, as we see with Mary, hearing sound Bible doctrine does not guarantee spirituality….