Commended for Devotion, Part Two

By Peggy Allen
Luke 10:38-42
38. 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. 39. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40. 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. 41. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Two Sisters/Two Personalities
Mary and Martha are representative of two kinds of personalities or mindsets. Gary Chapman has come up with a popular way of knowing how to say I love you in a way that the recipient can best receive the message. It is called the Five Love Languages. These languages are listed as “Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch.” The idea is to show love to others in the way that most pleases the recipient. Those who have not learned otherwise, however, will most likely give love in the way that most pleases themselves.

Mary’s personality was totally different from her sister’s. Although she was not one to avoid work and service, her disposition led her to show love to others by giving quality time. Jesus had come into her home and he would only be there for a short time. He had important things to say and she didn’t want to miss a word. Because she loved Jesus so much, eating was the last thing on her mind. She probably realized that Martha’s love language was serving, so she turned that over to her.

Blessed to Love
While it is apparent that Mary’s love language is giving and receiving quality time, her love language could also include “words of affirmation.” She not only enjoyed the encouraging words Jesus spoke, but without a doubt she communicated her love to Jesus through her words, as well. But then, we are reminded of yet another dimension of Mary’s capacity to show love. John 12:1-3 tells about an incident that took place six days before the Passover, just prior to Jesus’ death. Jesus had been invited for a supper and, as usual, Martha served. But Mary took “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.” Two new love languages seem to be surfacing here—physical touch and the giving of gifts.

How many truly important things are missed in life because we are so focused on responsibilities rather than relationships. While Jesus was thankful for Martha’s love language gift, Mary’s devotion revealed a desire to know Him in a deeper way, for which He commended her. Knowing Jesus more deeply can only come by spending time in His presence. Service is important, but sitting at His feet is necessary.