Observation
In Luke 10:38 Martha is serving Jesus and His disciples, she becomes agitated that Mary is not up helping. Her sister Mary is instead sitting at Christ's feet, listening to His teachings. Jesus tells Martha in Luke that Mary made the better choice. Here in John 12 we have the same scenario, yet there is no complaining. Why? Well perhaps it has to do with the death and resurrection of her brother Lazarus found in chapter 11. Martha may have learned a few valuable lessons through the death and resurrection experience. Lessons like loving others for how God made them and not trying to change them to be like you, or perhaps using the gifts God gave you out of an overflow of love without an expectation of adulation. I believe that through the death and resurrection of Lazarus, Martha was able to see just how much Jesus loved her and how that love was not based on performance; and it changed her. It didn't change her gifts, it changed her heart and the motivation in which she did everything.
Application
I firmly believe that is the love of Jesus that changes us. We can try and try to perform but eventually we will run to the end of ourselves. There is only one water that will never leave you thirsty and the that is the living water of Jesus Christ. I sometimes struggle with getting resentful in serving. God knows how much I complain. I can make excuses on why that is the case, "I'm tired", "I'm empty", "I do so much more than others", all of it is bunk. I sound a lot like Martha in Luke 10. I'm serving out of my own might, trying to perform and I need the love of God to change me.
Prayer
Father You are so good to hear and answer my prayers. Father, I ask that You change me with Your love. Please rid me of my selfishness. I want to accept and love others just how You have made them and I want everything I do to be from an overflow of You in my life.
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