The Mary Principle

There are a few principles (or applications) I glean from Mary’s interactions with Jesus. I’d like to share how I’ve applied certain passages as reminders of things that my help in my own life when I grow stagnant or even numb (when I was walking through so much sorrow). I’m not trying to read anything into Scripture that’s not there, just observing and thinking on the portraits of intimate fellowship with Jesus from those who knew Him well. I thought to call it the Mary Principle. At times we (me and some of my friends) have worded it as ‘feet time.’

I’m not at all trying to make a doctrine out of it like some of those books who are twisting Daniel for whatever project or diet, or those that make a short prayer in the Bible (Jabez) a whole book. I’m just hoping to share something that might be helpful to some out there who are struggling in the darkness of this world, sorrows we all have in life, or difficulties. He knows and cares.

See if anything touches or encourages you in some area in your own walk.

This passage below has always had a two-fold meaning for me, especially after I got over thinking Mary was just lazy and Martha was mistreated. Up front, I saw Mary listening to His Word, and I assume asking questions or talking to Him. I try to do that as I go through His Word.

Reading the Word and spending time with Jesus

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.  But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42

Continue in His Word

I was super blessed by the fact that time hearing His Word will never be taken from us.  Mary is a picture of what a disciple does. The Bible uses the term regarding sitting at a teacher’s feet hearing His Words. In Acts 22:3, Paul spoke of being brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. Jesus loved Mary and allowed her to do that.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus told those who had just believed on Him to continue in His Word so they would know the truth and the truth would set them free. So in this passage I see the principle of spending time with the Lord (sitting at His feet as a disciple) and talking to Him about His Word. Disciples are learners or pupils. We’re never too old (or too smart) for that hopefully.

Here are some questions we could ask ourselves to prayerfully redirect our thoughts to the right things (Phil 4:6-8).

Are we choosing the good part as seen above? It’s easily rectified if not.

When we do, we can be comforted in the truth that this time will never be taken from us.

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Rom 15:4

Isn’t this a beautiful truth? He wrote the Scriptures ahead of time for our learning. And there is comfort in the Scripture, giving us hope.

Firstly we need to be sure we have understood and believed the correct gospel. If you are unsure, please consider this link. Or, use it as a refresher to share with others.

Who is your portion? Who is the strength of your heart?

Get to know Him more in His Word — and in learning more about the Lord, His tender mercies, His great love for you, this will begin to become a truth for you.

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:25-26

In life, oftentimes other things occupy our thoughts and affections before Him, and it’s good to be honest with Him about it when we recognize it is a pattern in our lives or a momentary failing. Just trying to talk to Him about more things each day and asking Him to bring things we can do better to our attention. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matt 11:28-30).

One thing with any relationship, if we’re taken for granted, we become hurt and can put walls up. That’s when I ask myself, ‘am I taking Jesus for granted? Am I thanking Him enough for all the things He has done?’ No, there is no way I can perfect this in this lifetime — not one of us loves Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. But we can sure do better. There is such a blessing in looking around and thanking Him for so much he has blessed us with in our lives. Kind of reminds me of the movie Pollyanna. Look for the good in what we’re going through.

What does the Word do for us?

If we have the Word hidden in our hearts, we know it will help us deal with sin in our lives (Psalm 119:9-11). It helps with experiential sanctification (it will cleanse our way when we take heed to it).

Look up this passage. I will try to get all these linked — but ask yourself, what does His Word do for you here?

Psalm 119:25,28 His Word S____________ and R__________ me.

What happens when we apply our hearts to His knowledge?

Look up Proverbs 22:17-21

Why is it important to know His Word here? (vs. 21) __________________ see also 1 Pet 3:15)

What else can you glean from this passage? Look at each verse and use your own words.

18a ________________________
18b ________________________
19a_________________________
19b (a favorite thought – this is personal for each of us – also expanded on in 1 John 2:27)

20 – How do you view His Word? ______________ (see also Ps 119:103-104; 105, 130, 140,162)

Psalm 119:162 says His Word is great treasure. Is it your treasure too? It tells us more of the One who loved us and gave His life for us. Think on His love.

Whose approval should you desire as you study His Word?

2 Tim 2:15 __________________________

Why is knowing more of His Word important?

John 14:26

So the Holy Spirit can bring it _______________________________

How can being in the Word help us in this wicked world?

Heb 5:13-14 (specifically 14b) Because we will be able to tell the difference between ________and ______.

More Mary Principles – A Picture of Worship and Discipleship

Jesus Wept

So, Mary and Martha have just been through the death of their brother and the resurrection of the dead. Mary mattered to Jesus, He groaned in His spirit when she wept over the death of Lazarus and was troubled. And vs. 35 says, “Jesus wept.” What a loving Savior. And we know the end, Jesus raises Lazarus again from the dead, and Lazarus also becomes a target of rage (and conspiracy to murder him) from those Jewish leaders who sought to kill Him. Isn’t that just like the enemy we all deal with?

In chapter 12 of John, Martha is serving again (not a bad thing at all) but Mary sits at His feet and literally washes them with this large amount of costly fragrant spikenard, using her hair to wipe it on (a woman’s glory). This foot washing of our perfect Savior, is a potential foreshadowing of the very next chapter where Jesus is to sit down and serve His disciples in turn by washing their feet. He tells them to do the same for others. He has declared them clean positionally (except Judas). So that is not the ‘washing’ He is portraying. We have to let Him clean up the feet that walk in this dirty world, part of partaking of fellowship with Him. Part of our practical sanctification. And we are to do the same for others.

Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 

Then 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 odour of the ointment. 

Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?  This 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.  

Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always. John 12:1-8

I think this is a beautiful picture of worship and devotion by one who understood what Jesus was saying about what was to happen when His 12 disciples still did not understand what was going to happen. Jesus states she kept this for the day of His burial. Did she know of this because she was listening to Jesus and hearing what He said? I believe so. I want to listen to Him the same way, and to give any glory that comes my way to Him. I want to remember the things He has done for me, especially what He did to redeem me.

Learning how to worship

Worshiping God (for me) is hearing His Word and thanking Him or Blessing Him for what He has done. Practically put, as I read and His Word penetrates, I try to respond to it in thankfulness. For some it’s singing or listening to music honoring Him. This was part of another principle I took from this passage.

Take Psalm 103 for an example. Try looking at each benefit and saying your genuine thanks for the benefits you’ve experienced in your life. See His goodness, love, and mercy shown to us. Remember who we are to Him, and who He is to us. Remind yourself how far away our sins have been removed and thank Him for they will never rise up to condemn us (John 5:24).

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
who forgiveth all thine iniquities;
who healeth all thy diseases;
who redeemeth thy life from destruction;
who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children; to such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion:
bless the Lord, O my soul.

So summing up my thoughts if I didn’t make it apparent.

Pull away from the crowd and spend some time with Jesus in His Word. Jesus did it, and you should try to do it steadily.

As you study, do it with His approval as your goal.

As you read, see things in His Scripture you can thank Him for, or worship Him over. Renew your mind with it. (Rom 12:2). Strengthen your faith with it (Rom 10:17). Get wisdom and understanding from it.

We are so very blessed to have the ability to have His Word. We own more Bibles in America than anyone else across the world. Some people in other countries wish to have access to His Word.

Let’s try (with His help), not to take the Lord and His Word for granted.

Love in Christ to you all!

Part 2