The object of this study is to take some time out of our busy, often chaotic days and spend some time with women who have gone before us. Not just any women, but 26 women of the Bible. We’ll “Walk Among Them” and see how their stories relate to our lives. It’s my hope that we will discover God’s presence and grace in our own lives as the lives and lessons of these women unfold before us this year.

Walking Among Them, Mary of Bethany

We all know the story. The story of the sisters Martha and Mary. We have walked with Martha and today, we have the opportunity to walk with her sister Mary of Bethany. We will find her mentioned in each of the Gospels. We’ll look at Matthew (26: 6-13), Mark (14:3 – 9), Luke (10: 38-42) (the story of Martha and Mary), and John (11:1 – 12:11). As always it’s in reading Scripture that we gain insight to the woman with whom we are walking.

Mary was a disciple of Jesus. She sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to Him. She is known for being still in the presence of the Lord and listening to what He has to place on her heart. This woman knew ultimate joys in her life and profound sadness as well. As the sister of Lazarus, she was distraught as her brother lay sick and dying. As friends of Jesus, they sent for him. “The two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, Lord your dear friend is very sick.” (John 11:1) When Jesus does not come right away, we can only imagine the sadness that fills the home of Mary and Martha as their brother dies. Lazarus had been “in the grave” for four days and as we can all imagine, Mary and Martha were grieving.

Many visitors came, and none of them was Jesus.

When word arrives that Jesus was coming, Martha goes to meet him, but Mary stays behind. Mary stays behind. She stays behind until Martha tells her that, “the teacher is here and wants to see you.” (John 12:28). Faithfully, Mary goes to see Jesus.  Mary tells Jesus that if ONLY He had been there, her brother wouldn’t have died. Jesus knew the plans for Lazarus’ life were far from over, but that had not yet been shown to Mary and in her grief, she questioned.  This “troubled” Jesus.  Jesus asks, “Where have you put him?” The took Jesus to the body and we know that Jesus wept.  It is in Jesus’ command that the stone be rolled aside that Jesus responds, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”   After praying to the Father, Jesus calls, “Lazarus, come out!” Lazarus appears with his hands and feet bound in the gravecloths and everyone there must have just stood in awe.

We meet Mary a bit further down the path as well. We meet her in Mark’s account, (14:1-9). It is just before the Passover and there is talk about how to capture and kill Jesus. We know that Jesus was in Bethany and there was a feast in His honor. It is in this story that Mary comes into the room and anoints Him with expensive perfume. Imagine a strong perfume, the kind that can fill up a room. This is not a dab, but rather “poured.”  It is Judas Iscariot who speaks up and questions the motives of Mary. “Why waste such expensive perfume? It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” (Mark 14:3-4) Jesus speaks up and defends Mary’s actions. In Mark 26:10, his words are “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing.” He lets them know that the poor will always be among them but that He will soon be gone. He tells them that Mary has anointed His body for burial ahead of time, and reminds them that when the Good News is preached around the world that this deed of Mary’s will be remembered and discussed. (Mark 14:6)

Mary journey’s with Jesus and along the way she learns so much. She quiets herself and listens, she questions in her grief and anoints in a prophetic act. She was unafraid and she loved Jesus. Her actions allow us to see the transparency of the woman who we know as Mary of Bethany. She was not perfect and certainly human in her reactions, particularly in grief, and yet it is her desire for God’s heart and  love for Jesus that endures 2,000 years.

With each woman that we study, I’ll have some thoughts and ideas for reflection, meditation and journaling that will be called “Reflections from the Walk.” It’s in Walking Among Them that we can learn lessons that we can take with us on our daily walks.

Reflections from the walk:

We take away so much from our walk with Mary. This week  we have an opportunity to reflect on the life of this great disciple of Christ.

Spend some time this week learning about the Passover.  There are some wonderful resources on Biblical Holidays.com.

In studying the Passover, we can see the significance of Mary’s act at the meal in Bethany. Studying the Passover is a wonderful way to involve the family in a Bible Study.

Mary knows grief when her brother Lazarus dies. Imagine that you were there walking in Mary’s shoes. Would you have reacted in faith or in grief? Look around you and notice that there are many among us who walk in grief. Pray and listen to what God is trying to tell you about reaching those who are grieving. Truly reflect and perhaps you will be led to minister to those who are living with overwhelming sadness.

As women we cannot look past Mary’s heart to “sit at the feet of Jesus.” We live busy and noisy lives and Mary is ever the example of quieting ourselves to immerse ourselves in the Word. If you struggle with quieting yourself, reflect and perhaps commit to memory, the words of Jesus.

“My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Jesus tells Mary those present at her anointing of Him that she has done a “beautiful thing.” God gives us the ability to do the things that please Him. We often are not willing to do just that. The opportunity to DO something beautiful is all around us. It can be in the form of the poor, the needy, the lonely, the grieving, the overwhelmed or the exhausted. Do you have anyone in your life who is experiencing any of these at the moment. Take time this week to “do a beautiful thing.” Ask God to lead you, and do it only for His glory,  not yours. These are the gifts that we can give God. He surrounds us with the opportunity to “do something beautiful,” this week let us pray that we seize it.

Lord, thank you for sharing your disciple Mary’s heart with us in your Word. Help us as we strive to lead lives of discipleship. Help us to be still and truly listen at the “feet of Jesus,” as Mary did and then Lord help us to engage in “beautiful acts.” Help us Lord to cast aside selfishness and pride, for they are not beautiful in your eyes and instead clothe ourselves in humility and service so that our lives can become fragrances that are pleasing to you. Thank you Lord for this beautiful life that you have filled with opportunities to praise and glorify you.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

As always we come home from the walk with a Biblical Woman with much gained and Mary of Bethany is no exception. May this study bring peace to your life.

A PDF of this study can be found HERE.

Lori is a 6th year homeschool mom to 3. Currently she homeschools a 9th grader, a 7th grader and a 5th grader. Lori hopes to impart peace and inspiration amidst the daily chaos. It’s in the daily details of life that she is continually inspired! Be sure to visit her blog at All You Have to Give and at Internet Cafe Devotions.