“Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

A friend of mine and I were talking about this verse the other day. The topic of our Ladies Bible Study has been on our heart idols; anything that takes our focus off of God onto something else. Martha was a topic of one of our studies. It was based on Luke 10:40. Martha was diligently making preparations for dinner while Mary sat at the Lords feet. When she complained to Jesus, He told her that what Mary was doing was far better than all her hard work. We had discussed the possibilities that Martha had some heart idols that she was dealing with. Idols of control, wanting to make sure everything was prepared just right. Or she may have had an idol of affirmation or approval, wanting to get compliments for her hard work. Instead Jesus tells her that only He needs to be her concern. Yet, in todays reading we see Martha still at work. My friend and I were wondering if Martha was still leaning on her idols or had she really learned that Jesus was best and her serving was now truly just for Him?

We often want what Jesus can give or do for us, versus wanting just Jesus. We see this again in verse 8.

“9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.”

The crowds came not only to see Jesus but also to see Lazarus who Jesus had raised from the dead. Their beliefs were based on what Jesus did, not necessarily on who He was. We see this throughout the Gospels. It often wasn’t until after Jesus performed some miracle that people believed in Him.

We easily dismiss Jesus in our lives when we do not feel he is actively working in our lives. We want signs, answers, or requests fulfilled. Again, we don’t want Jesus for just Himself but what he does for us.

“28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.”

Even when Jesus called out to His Father and the Lord God answered Him, some of the crowd refused to believe what they had heard. They easily came up with an excuse, “it was thunder”, to justify their non-belief. Jesus was offering Himself as their gift and the crowds were not satisfied with just Him.

How about us? Do we seek after God for what He can do for us, or do we seek after God for Himself? Do we want Jesus for his presence or for his presents? Will we ever learn?

 Debbie LoSurdo | Administrative Assistant

Debbie committed her life to Christ in January of 1994. She and her husband, Joe, have two children and four grandchildren. Debbie volunteers on staff part time. Her ministry experiences include Student, Children’s, Hospitality, Women’s, Small Group, Discipleship, Biblical Guidance and AIM ministries. Debbie and Joe joined HCBC Hutto in June of 2009.