Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
Your response would seem to indicate that you think that the whole of life is about being ready for the death of Jesus.
This statement by Jesus has a context. It was not a disrespect of Martha's work. It was not a belittling of it. It was a commending of Mary's pouring out of herself in the particular situation and implied that she understood that something significant was coming even if she did not know what.
The idea was not to say that always doing what Mary did was preferable to doing the work we are called to do. But you are very articulate to state that this is what you believe it means and are happy to just ignore the things that are needful in all instances while taking on activities that you think are the current equivalents of what Mary did.
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OBW, that is not the correct interpretation of this matter, and I think you need to educate yourself better about this context. Why I say this? because I have educated myself and know the context using a variety of bible commentaries (not just Lee/Nee material, so you cannot accuse me of bias).
For example Matthew Henry's commentary on Luke 10:38-42:
10:38-42 A good sermon is not the worse for being preached in a house; and the visits of our friends should be so managed, as to make them turn to the good of their souls.
Sitting at Christ's feet, signifies readiness to receive his word, and submission to the guidance of it. Martha was providing for the entertainment of Christ, and those that came with him. Here were respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs.
But there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving; plenty, variety, and exactness.
Worldly business is a snare to us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our souls. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out, even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though
Martha was on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The favour of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to, all other things will be rightly pursued. Christ declared, Mary hath chosen the good part.
For one thing is needful, this one thing that she has done, to give up herself to the guidance of Christ. The things of this life will be taken away from us, at the furthest, when we shall be taken away from them; but nothing shall separate from the love of Christ, and a part in that love. Men and devils cannot take it away from us, and God and Christ will not. Let us mind the one thing needful more diligently.
Martha was at fault for blaming her sister, and secondly at fault for thinking Christ should tell Mary to do Martha's bidding by way of much business.
There is one thing needful we must do more diligently and that is what we focus on.