Real Hope: Women in the BibleSample

Mary Of Bethany

My favourite lady in the New Testament would have to be Mary of Bethany. I have personally gleaned so much from her life. Mary is one of the well-known siblings whom Jesus loved. She is the sister of Martha and Lazarus. These three were Jesus’ close companions. Their house was a place for Jesus to rest and relax.

In every biblical story of Mary of Bethany, she is found at Jesus’ feet:

• Jesus visits Martha and Mary’s home (Luke 10:39)
• When Lazarus died (John 11:32)
• At Simon’s house for dinner (John 12:3)

One lesson I learnt and applied to my own life was how she placed value on listening to the words of Jesus. The Bible says she ‘seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was continually listening to His teaching’ (Luke 10:39 AMP). You see, Mary did this because she needed Jesus. She was fully aware of her spiritual condition. Jesus had the answers to questions she didn’t even know she needed to be asking. Mary did not just hear what Jesus said. She listened with her ears as well as her intellect and devoured everything Jesus said. In those moments, there was nothing or nobody that could get her attention. Mary clung to the one thing that would last far beyond this life into eternity – the living Word.

Your heart has a God-sized hole in it. Nothing else will do. Anything else you try will not work. Being positioned at Jesus’ feet demonstrates not only how much Mary worships Him but also how much she needs Him, is yielded to Him, and is devoted to Him. Jesus is asking us to live with reverence in our hearts and a strong desire to know Him more. If you don’t believe you have a need, you will never ask for more of Him!

Written by HEIDI WYSMAN