Jesus Loved Martha

John 11:5

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

Did you ever do the "He Loves me, he loves me not" with the flowers when you were young?  How much torture we put ourselves through as children trying to figure out if people loved us or not. Over and over we would put this theory to the test. If it didn't work in our favor, we would just pick another flower. 

Just a few verses ago, Martha was working in the kitchen and Jesus told her she was cumbered (distracted) by many things. You see her sister Mary was worshipping at the feet of Jesus and Martha was laboring in the kitchen. Jesus talked with her about the one thing needful in her life, which was worship. I wonder if Martha felt like she had left the Savior down?  I wonder how she felt when she realized what she was missing out on?  Do you think she ever felt like the Savior was disappointed in her, or maybe even questioned if His love was still the same? I'm sure at some time or another we have all felt this way. 

A problem I see, is this same formula being used in the church today. People come to know Christ, fall and commit sin, then look for flowers to see if He still loves them. People will pick off (dissect their actions, life and decisions) petal by petal, questioning the love of Jesus for them. Let me reassure you on this... He loved, loves, and will love you!  He loved you before you became a Christian. He loves you with an eternal love. Put down the flowers!  

Did you notice something in the scripture this morning?  Mary was called out for choosing the needful "good part" in our other scripture. But in this mornings scripture the word of God notes that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus". I find it so loving of God to note the name Martha and referenced the other sister. Maybe, just maybe it's because he wanted Martha to put down the flower theory and know that He loves her. Just like He loves you!

Go-Pro Hero

Matthew 23:5-12

But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

A phylactery is a small wooden box worn by Jewish rabbis upon their foreheads or hands. Inside it contains a scroll of scripture. The scripture written tells them to "write the word upon their forehead and upon their hands". Meaning to keep God's word in its place and priority. 

In Jesus' day, the Pharisees took it to another level. They began to make these boxes larger and larger. Being seen of men was their objective. They wanted the recognition and prestige. 

Just the other night me and my family were watching the Bible series that the History Channel put out. A Jewish rabbi came across the screen and my son asked, "What's that? A GoPro?"  Hahaha. (If you don't know what a GoPro is, it is a camera that bike riders, skateboarders, extreme sports people wear on their heads). I couldn't stop laughing about it. Because it seemed so silly, but became so true. 

The slogan for the GoPro is... "Be A Hero". See the Pharisees wanted to be the heroes. They couldn't stand for anyone to receive praise but them. This should not be found in the life of a Christian. As Christians, we should desire all praise to go unto Jesus. 

Jesus, and only Jesus, is our hero!  He is worthy of our praise. He is also deserving of our praise. We should mimic Him. 

Philippians 2:7-11

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.