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!
