Overflowing joy! When was the last time you honestly remember experiencing joy like that? I know for me it has been way too long. Maybe those extremely poor believers who Paul had befriended discovered that just as Jesus had said “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”. Maybe they found that giving all of their little gave them a chance to receive a little of God’s all and it was more than they could have ever imagined!
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35
Jesus received the gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to celebrate His birth. For 33 years he gave honor to His earthly parents, sight to the blind, healing to the sick, bread for the hungry and living water to the thirsty.
The week before He was betrayed Jesus received one more gift when Mary anointed His head and feet with perfumed oil to prepare for His death. When she was criticized, Jesus defended her and told us to always remember her act of giving. Then last of all He gave His life for ours. Now that’s a life of blessing! That’s a life of giving!
There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. John 12:2
Though we often admire Mary’s example we must not forget that Jesus also loved Martha. Martha was the bold one who publicly invited Jesus and all 12 disciples to her house for dinner! Just as Mary listened and learned from Jesus, Martha also learned in her own way. Though she worked in the kitchen, and complained about her sister, she also accepted correction. Later when Jesus failed to come and heal her brother Martha was waiting at the edge of town to ask Him why He had allowed Lazarus to die. But she was also equally quick to believe when Jesus told her that He was the resurrection and the life. At the same dinner when Jesus came and sat by Lazarus and Mary came and washed His feet, Martha cooked the food and washed the plates. As Mary lavished her love on Jesus with the ointment, Martha lavished hers with service. As the air was filled with the fragrance of the perfume, so too the air was also filled with the aroma of Martha’s dinner. Oh yes we know the story of Mary will be told forever, but we must never forget that Jesus also loved Martha. Martha gave the best she had. If you are a Martha don’t be ashamed, just give your best and learn like she did to focus your eyes on Jesus and serve Him wherever you are!
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