Natural Temperament

Some of the commentary about Martha and Mary has really had my mind working.  Matthew Henry pointed out the two different temperaments of the sisters, "and the temptations and advantages of each."  God created us with natural tendencies, but our fallen nature can cause trouble no matter what feels natural.  He went on to say, "it will be our wisdom carefully to watch against the temptations, and improve the advantages, of our natural temper."  He didn't mention trying to improve anyone else's natural temper - that is an exercise in futility!  A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown said, "Both are needed, each to be the complement of the other."

Respect for the natural temperament of others is vitally important for any healthy relationship.  Sometimes those natural temperaments aren't easily apparent, but in time we learn.  Let me give you an example using singers:

A children's choir usually just sings unison.  There are no apparent sopranos, altos or tenors.  They have two ways to sing, soft or loud, which often means yelling!

 

At some point most of us move up to a youth choir and start realizing we can sing parts.  There will be some girls who can't reach the high parts any longer - they are naturally altos.  The young men go back and forth from lead to tenor as their voices change, and some never can sing tenor - they are naturally basses.  And then there are ladies like me who sing soprano.  I can sing alto, but it's very unnatural.  If I'm singing alto during service - the song is probably in a very high key, or I have a cold!

By the time we reach adult choir status, our natural parts are firmly in our minds.  A choir that sings three part harmony sounds very beautiful.  When all the parts join in unison, it sounds nice, and then the parts come back in a powerful way.  Sometimes the choir director will have the parts flip - everyone is singing a part that is unnatural, but it gives a new punch!  And we're all happy (and sometimes relieved) when we go back to our natural parts.

In all of this, if the sopranos started complaining that the altos and tenors needed to sing soprano, we would all think they were silly.  Altos need to sing alto!  Tenors need to sing tenor!  And sopranos need to own their soprano part!  A choir takes natural ability, blends it together, respects differences, and comes out with a beautiful sound.

So when it comes to our natural temperaments, we need to work on blending with others who are different from us.  All types are needed, to be the complement of the others.

I'll use myself as an example here.  My natural temperament is somewhat reserved and quiet.  (Yes, really!)  I need quiet time.  I enjoy spending time with friends and family, but there comes a point that I need quiet.  I've been misunderstood plenty through the years, and I've tried many times to suppress that need, but that has backfired at times.  My spirit needs quiet.  I've been running for years.  It was only when I started training for my first marathon that I started running with music and that was only on my weekly long run.  I can run for an hour or more with just my thoughts for company and come home refreshed.  Most of the time in our home we don't have a radio or stereo playing - we're content with quiet.

I also understand that not everyone is like me.  There are people who thrive on crowds.  They want to share everything about themselves and want to know everything about everyone else.  I enjoy those kinds of people, even though I know I am not like them.  I can be talkative and friendly, but after a while I just run out of words and my ears are tired!  I'm not in a bad mood or upset, I just need quiet.  (I do realize these are just two types of the many people on this planet!)

I know there I times I need to move beyond my personal preferences.  I make an effort to speak to guests in our church, even though it doesn't come naturally.  I'd be content to let others take that role, but I know this is important whether it's comfortable or not.  On the flip side, I have heard many times that a friend can talk to me and know that I am not going to repeat anything that has been said in confidence.  My quiet nature means I know when to keep quiet.

Our natural temperament is never an excuse to be unkind to others.  "That's just the way I am," does not excuse rudeness.  "I just say how I feel," is never acceptable when we have been demeaning, hurtful, or unkind.  As Matthew Henry said, we must "carefully to watch against the temptations, and improve the advantages, of our natural temper."  

In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, the Apostle Paul gave us a beautiful illustration of being one body with many members.  Just remember this - God set the members as it pleased him.

For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Woman of the Week ~ Mary, the Mother of Jesus

This Friday is Good Friday.  I think there is only one woman who deserves a post for that day.  The dear mother who stood at the cross, watching her Son give His life for all.  I'll save the story of Jesus' birth for December, and focus solely on His ministry years and Mary's interactions with Him.

There will be one more Mary next week, the one who was at the empty tomb on Resurrection morning - Mary Magdalene.

Verses:  Matthew 12:46-50, Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21, John 2:1-5, John 19:25-27, Acts 1:14

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Mary of Bethany ~ Woman of the Week

Mary of Bethany is written about in all four of the gospels.  I find it interesting that only John records any words by her.  We may not have many words by Mary, but her actions speak clearly.  I will be quoting from many commentaries - they were all very insightful!

Verses:  Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-45, John 12:1-8
In the chronological Bible these verses appear in this order:  Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-45.  Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, and  John 12:1-8 contain the same story.

 

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

We don't know anything about Mary's parents.  We know she had one sister, Martha, and one brother, Lazarus.  As far as we know, she was not married, at least at the time of the writings of the gospels.

 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

We first read about Mary while Jesus is in their home, there she "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word." (Luke 11:39)  "She sat to hear, which denotes a close attention. Her mind was composed, and she resolved to abide by it: not to catch a word now and then, but to receive all that Christ delivered."(Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible)  "Mary heard him with great eagerness and diligence, affection, pleasure, and profit." (John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible)

 

Mary does not try to defend herself when Martha complains to Jesus.  She keeps quiet while Jesus points out that Martha was troubled about many things.  "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."  "Serious godliness is a needful thing, it is the one thing needful; for nothing without this will do us any real good in this world, and nothing but this will go with us into another world." (Matthew Henry)  "There are times when it is proper to suspend worldly employments, and to attend to the affairs of the soul. It was proper for Mary to do it. It would have been proper for Martha to have done it. It is proper for all on the Sabbath and at other occasional seasons - seasons of prayer and for searching the word of God - to suspend worldly concerns and to attend to religion.  If attention to religion be omitted at the proper time, it will always be omitted. If Mary had neglected to hear Jesus then, she might never have heard him."  (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)

A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown said this, "Martha’s choice would be taken from her, for her services would die with her; Mary’s never, being spiritual and eternal. Both were true-hearted disciples, but the one was absorbed in the higher, the other in the lower of two ways of honoring their common Lord. Yet neither despised, or would willingly neglect, the others' occupation. The one represents the contemplative, the other the active style of the Christian character. A Church full of Marys would perhaps be as great an evil as a Church full of Marthas. Both are needed, each to be the complement of the other."

 

We next read about Mary in John chapter 11 when Lazarus dies.  John tells us that Jesus loved Mary just as He loved Martha and Lazarus.  They were important to Him.  This is another time when we see the differences in Mary and Martha.  While Martha went out to meet Jesus as soon as she heard He was coming, "Mary sat still in the house."  I had never consider Mary staying in the house as a negative or a positive, but Matthew Henry had some interesting things to say about that:

"When Martha went to meet Jesus, Mary sat still in the house. Some think she did not hear the tidings, being in her drawing-room, receiving visits of condolence, while Martha who was busied in the household-affairs had early notice of it. Perhaps Martha would not tell her sister that Christ was coming, being ambitious of the honor of receiving him first. Holy prudence conducts us to Christ, while brethren and parents know not what we are doing.  Others think she did hear that Christ was come, but was so overwhelmed with sorrow that she did not care to stir, choosing rather to indulge her sorrow, and to sit poring upon her affliction, and saying, I do well to mourn. Comparing this story with that in Luke 10:38, we may observe the different tempers of these two sisters, and the temptations and advantages of each. Martha's natural temper was active and busy; she loved to be here and there, and at the end of every thing; and this had been a snare to her when by it she was not only careful and cumbered about many things, but hindered from the exercises of devotion: but now in a day of affliction this active temper did her a kindness, kept the grief from her heart, and made her forward to meet Christ, and so she received comfort from him the sooner. On the other hand, Mary's natural temper was contemplative and reserved. This had been formerly an advantage to her, when it placed her Christ's feet, to hear his word, and enabled her there to attend upon him without those distractions with which Martha was cumbered; but now in the day of affliction that same temper proved a snare to her, made her less able to grapple with her grief, and disposed her to melancholy: But Mary sat still in the house. See here how much it will be our wisdom carefully to watch against the temptations, and improve the advantages, of our natural temper."

After Martha's conversation with Jesus she "called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee."  Mary doesn't remain in the house, but "she arose quickly, and came unto him."  "Having an equal affection for him as her sister Martha; and which she showed, by leaving her comforters at once, and by making the haste she did, to another and better comforter: both Martha and Mary, out of their great love to Christ, break through the rule for mourners of not going out of the door of the house the first week of mourning." (John Gill)  "Affection for her Lord, assurance of His sympathy, and His hope of interposition, putting a spring into her distressed spirit." (JFB)

 

Mary met Jesus with the same words that Martha had, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." Those are the only recorded words of Mary.  Once again, her actions speak, "she fell down at his feet."  "She fell down not as a sinking mourner, but fell down at his feet as a humble petitioner. This Mary had sat at Christ's feet to hear his word (Luke 10:39), and here we find her there on another errand."  (Matthew Henry) 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

In light of the previous commentary, I think it is extraordinary what Mary did when she anointed Jesus' feet with oil.  She, who had previously sat quietly at His feet, who seemed to speak very little, stepped out of her comfort zone to show her love for Him.  "This act of faith and love was so remarkable, that it would be reported, as a memorial of Mary's faith and love, to all future ages, and in all places where the gospel should be preached.  This was an extraordinary piece of respect paid him by a good woman that thought nothing too good to bestow upon Christ, and to do him honor.  She had a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, which probably she had by her for her own use; but the death and resurrection of her brother had quite weaned her from the use of all such things, and with this she anointed the feet of Jesus, and, as a further token of her reverence for him and negligence of herself, she wiped them with her hair, and this was taken notice of by all that were present, for the house was filled with the odor of the ointment." (Matthew Henry)

"The woman who anointed Him was not informed of the circumstances about to happen, nor was she a prophetess. But the approach of that hour of darkness was felt by one whose heart was fixed on Jesus." (Synopsis of the Old and New Testaments by John Nelson Darby) "Mary shows us the worship of a grateful heart.  Mary of Bethany, who alone of our Lord's disciples had comprehended His thrice repeated announcement of His coming death and resurrection, invested the anointing with the deeper meaning of the preparation of His body for burying. " (Scofield Reference Notes)

 

The stories of Mary and Martha are so encouraging to me.  They are very different sisters, but Jesus loved them both.  They showed their love in very different ways, but still Jesus loved them both.  I think we need to be like both of them - we need to be willing to serve and willing to sit.  We need to be bold in proclaiming our faith - in both words (Martha) and actions (Mary.)  As one commentary said, "Both are needed, each to be the complement of the other," this can be true in each of us.  I'm not saying it will be easy, but I think it's something we should strive for.  Whatever our natural temperament, we can work on those things that will draw us closer to Him and able to serve Him more. 

The Woman with the Alabaster Box

While studying Mary of Bethany this week, I read accounts in all four Gospels of a woman who anointed Jesus' feet with ointment.  The story in Luke chapter 7 is quite different from the accounts found in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 12.  Only in Luke chapter 7 is the woman called a sinner.  Her sins, according to Jesus, were many.  That is not to say that Mary of Bethany wasn't a sinner (we all are sinners), but she was not a woman of the city with many sins.  Some have thought it was Mary Magdalene who did this, but there are no scriptures to support that.

There are interesting differences and similarities to these stories:

In both cases, Jesus is in the home of one named Simon.  In Luke he is called a Pharisee.  In Matthew and Mark, he is called "Simon the leper."  Simon was a common name - there is Simon Peter, Simon the Cyrenian who carried Jesus' cross, and Judas Iscariot was the son of Simon - so it wouldn't be strange that Jesus visited the homes of two men with that same name.

In Matthew, Mark and John this takes place in Bethany, the city of Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  In Luke they are in Nain, which was approximately 60 miles from Bethany.

The most significant difference is in what Jesus said.  Only in Luke does he give the parable of the two debtors, concluding with "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."  In all three accounts of  Matthew, Mark and John, Jesus said this was done for his burial and it occurs within days of the crucifixion.

So as best as I can determine there were two women, two alabaster boxes, and two Simons.  But there is only one Jesus!

Woman of the Week ~ Mary of Bethany

Verses:  Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:1-9, Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-45, John 12:1-8

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Martha ~ Woman of the Week

I'm a bit of a Martha champion.  Last year I wrote about how one chapter did not make up her entire life, but we've all heard sermons about not being a Martha. There is a book and an entire study called "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World."  I haven't read the book, but the title hurts my Martha loving heart.  Just because someone is busy serving the kingdom, doesn't mean that person loves the Lord less.  I would say that anyone who stays busy serving for a long time would not do so if they didn't truly love the Lord.  Martha was so much more than a complaining sister.  And a hint for next week - I've learned a lot about her sister, Mary, while I've been studying!

Verses:  Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44, John 12:1-2
I turned to our chronological Bible to read these verses in order.

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
We don't know anything about Martha's parents.  We know she had one sister, Mary, and one brother, Lazarus.  Some commentaries said she might have been a widow because Luke 10:38 says when Jesus visited "a certain woman named Martha received him into her house." 

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?

As I already mentioned, poor Martha is known for being cumbered about with much serving.  The problem was not that she was serving, but much serving. "Martha was providing for the entertainment of Christ, and those that came with him. Here were respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs. But there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving; plenty, variety, and exactness. Worldly business is a snare to us, when it hinders us from serving God, and getting good to our souls. What needless time is wasted, and expense often laid out, even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though Martha was on this occasion faulty, yet she was a true believer, and in her general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The favor of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to, all other things will be rightly pursued."  (Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible)

Martha probably could have quietly continued with her much serving, but when she stopped to complain, she really got Jesus' attention.  "It should be said here that there is no evidence that Martha had a worldly or covetous disposition. Her anxiety was to provide suitable entertainment for the Lord Jesus. As mistress of the family, this care properly devolved on her; and the only fault which can be charged on her was too earnest a desire to make such entertainment, when she might have sat with Mary at his feet, and, perhaps, too much haste and fretfulness in speaking to Jesus about Mary.  This was an improper reproof of our Lord, as if “he” encouraged Mary in neglecting her duty. Or perhaps Martha supposed that Mary was sitting there to show him the proper expressions of courtesy and kindness, and that she would not think it proper to leave him without his direction and permission. She therefore “hinted” to Jesus her busy employments, her need of the aid of her sister, and requested that he would signify his wish that Mary should assist her." (Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible)

I think it's important to notice that Martha does not speak again after Jesus reproves her.  She didn't try to defend or excuse her behavior.  She didn't storm from the house or leave servants to take over.

The next time we read about Martha is in John chapter 11 when Lazarus is sick.  Verse 3 says, "Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick."  Verse 5 says, "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus."  There is no mention that Martha is the one who was cumbered with much serving, she was one that Jesus loved.  The previous event seems to have been forgiven and forgotten in this long term friendship.

Verse 11 says, "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him..." which was "true to the energy and activity of her character." (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown)   Matthew Henry said, "Here was a house where the fear of God was, and on which his blessing rested; yet it was made a house of mourning. Grace will keep sorrow from the heart, but not from the house. When God, by his grace and providence, is coming towards us in ways of mercy and comfort, we should, like Martha, go forth by faith, hope, and prayer, to meet him."

Verses 21-27 record Martha and Jesus speaking.  I've heard some criticize Martha for saying, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." but those exact same words are spoken by Mary in verse 32.  I think they came from the lips of two heartbroken sisters.  "As Mary afterwards said the same thing, it is plain they had made this very natural remark to each other, perhaps many times during these four sad days, and not without having their confidence in His love at times overclouded. Such trials of faith, however, are not peculiar to them." (JFB)

Martha then goes on... "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."  John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says "whether Martha had such a clear notion of the deity of Christ, as yet, as she afterwards had, is not so certain: however, she was persuaded that he had great interest with God, and that whatever he desired of him was granted to him; and though she does not mention the resurrection of her brother, yet it seems to be what she had in view."

What Martha truly believes is found in verse 27, "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."  Word Pictures in the New Testament by Archibald Thomas Robertson says, "Martha probably did not understand all that Jesus said and meant, but she did believe in the future resurrection, in eternal life for believers in Christ, in the power of Christ to raise even the dead here and now. She had heroic faith and makes now her own confession of faith in words that outrank those of Peter in Matthew 16:16 because she makes hers with her brother dead now four days and with the hope that Jesus will raise him up now.   "It is my settled and firm faith."  The Messiah or the Christ (John 1:41) was to be also “the Son of God” as the Baptist said he had found Jesus to be (John 1:34), as Peter confessed on Hermon for the apostles (Matthew 16:16), as Jesus claimed to be (John 11:41) and confessed on oath before Caiaphas that he was (Matthew 26:63.), and as John stated that it was his purpose to prove in his Gospel (John 20:31). But no one said it under more trying circumstances than Martha."

The practical Martha steps in one more time when Jesus says to roll the stone away, "Lord, by this time he stinketh."  John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says "whether she said this out of respect to her brother, being unwilling he should be exposed to the view of persons, in such a state of corruption, she knew he must now be; or whether out of respect to Christ, lest he should be disordered with the offensive smell, is not certain: however, it seems as if she had no notion that Christ was about to raise her brother from the dead; and that the stone was commanded to be removed for that purpose, not merely for a sight of the dead, but that the dead might be seen to come forth alive:"

"It is wrong to suppose from this that, like the by-standers, she had not thought of his restoration to life. But the glimmerings of hope which she cherished from the first (John 11:22), and which had been brightened by what Jesus said to her (John 11:23-27), had suffered a momentary eclipse on the proposal to expose the now sightless corpse. To such fluctuations all real faith is subject in dark hours." (JFB)

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?
I believe Martha took Jesus' words of reproof to heart.   We find her in John chapter 12 once again serving.  John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says, "And Martha served; who was always a busy, active, and stirring woman; and this she did, to testify her love to Christ, and great respect for him; otherwise, as she was a person of substance, she had servants enough to wait at table:"

I love how Matthew Henry explained it, "Martha served; she herself waited at table, in token of her great respect to the Master. Though a person of some quality, she did not think it below her to serve, when Christ sat at meat; nor should we think it a dishonor or disparagement to us to stoop to any service whereby Christ may be honored. Christ had formerly reproved Martha for being troubled with much serving. But she did not therefore leave off serving, as some, who, when they are reproved for one extreme, peevishly run into another; no, still she served; not as then at a distance, but within hearing of Christ's gracious words."

We hear about having a "servant's heart" and Martha is a great example of that.  She was a firm believer, she saw Jesus perform great and mighty miracles.  Other than the one time mentioned, I believe she found great joy in serving, she found a way to incorporate her love for Jesus with her love for serving.


*Note:  I have added a new page to my blog - "Women of the Word" - where I am collecting each week's study.  You can find it near the top of the blog, just below the large picture.

Happy Birthday, Krysten and Lauren!

Happy birthday to the sweetest nieces in the world!

I fell in love when you were under four pounds each...

We share a love for all things chocolate...

And you have made me proud to be your aunt every day since!

Love you to the moon and back!

Update on Pastor McGriffin

I received a text from Sis. McGriffin on Sunday just as I was getting to church.  Pastor McGriffin had his best day yet, resting at their son's home.  Then she said, "Believing for a good report when he gets the CT scan when we return to Hawaii."  Yes, they booked their flights home!  They flew home yesterday and I received, "Landed in Honolulu... did good on the flight.  Thankful."

I am so thankful for this news.  We don't know what lies ahead, but are continuing to pray for complete healing and restoration.

Irish Humor

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I'm sharing my favorite Irish Blessing!  I've posted it before, but it makes me smile every time.

May those that love us, love us;
And those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts:
If He can't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

I've lived long enough to know that not everyone is going to love me. I'm so thankful I know who my true friends are.

Woman of the Week ~ Martha

I'm continuing my study of women who were touched by the earthly ministry of Jesus.  I couldn't leave out Martha and I'll be looking at her sister, Mary, next week.

Verses:  Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-44, John 12:1-2

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Update on Pastor McGriffin

I received this wonderful text from Sis. McGriffin this afternoon.  God, our Healer, is still in the healing business!

Great News..Pastor Mac was  released from the hospital this afternoon.  We are at our son's for a few days to see if the oral meds continue to keep his BP at the low rate they have set for the Aorta to continue to heal and for him to get strength enough to make the long flight home.  He is still weak but praying by the end of next week we will be able to fly home.  In the next few days as his strength returns he will be  able to call some people and return some text messages.  We love you all and know without your prayers this would have had a different ending!  So, so thankful we know the Healer and can stand on His promises!

We are continuing to pray for complete healing!

The Woman with the Issue of Blood ~ Woman of the Week

I wrote at the beginning of the year that I would study a different woman each week, but I wasn't going to plan which woman until that week arrived.  Once again, God amazed me that He led me to study a woman in need of healing when I've been praying daily this week for Pastor McGriffin's healing.


Verses:  Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48

I read multiple commentaries on all three passages and have done my best to combine the thoughts here. 

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
We know absolutely nothing of this woman's background.  We don't even know her name, but three of the four gospel writers told her story!

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
The first thing we learn about this woman is her disease.  Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible explains it this way: 

"A disease, which was not only weakening and wasting, and under which the body must needs languish; but which also rendered her ceremonially unclean, and shut her out from the courts of the Lord's house; but it did not cut her off from approaching to Christ. Her case was such as she could not in modesty tell him publicly, as others did their grievances, and therefore a private cure was what she wished for, and her faith was suited to her case."

The setting for this story is the seaside of Capernaum.  Jesus was teaching on the seaside, then took a ship to the country of the Gadarenes.  While in the ship a storm hits and Jesus calms it, speaking "Peace, be still." (Mark 4:39)  Jesus then meets the man with the legion of devils and casts the devils out.  The whole multitude asked Jesus to depart because they were afraid, so Jesus and His disciples return to the other side (all in the same day!) and "the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him." (Luke 8:39)  "The abundant teaching of that day had only whetted the people’s appetite; and disappointed, as would seem, that He had left them in the evening to cross the lake, they remain hanging about the beach, having got a hint, probably through some of His disciples, that He would be back the same evening. Perhaps they witnessed at a distance the sudden calming of the tempest. Here at least they are, watching for His return, and welcoming Him to the shore. The tide of His popularity was now fast rising." (A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments by Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown {JFB})

I have to believe this woman was in the crowd who heard Jesus teach.  She watched Him get in the boat and head to the other side.  Matthew 8:16-18 says, "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.  Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side."  She saw Him heal others, but had been too afraid to approach Him.  Then she watched him leave, her hopes leaving with Him...

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

She must have given herself quite a talking to when she saw Jesus return!  She was getting a second chance!  This time she pushed her way through the crowd, not caring who she touched, only knowing "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole."  Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible said, "In the crowd that pressed upon him. This was done to avoid being noticed. It was an act of faith. She was full of confidence that Jesus was able to heal, but she trembled on account of her conscious unworthiness."

"According to the ceremonial law, the touch of anyone having the disease which this woman had would have defiled the person touched. Some think that the recollection of this may account for her stealthily approaching Him in the crowd behind, and touching but the hem of His garment. But there was an instinct in the faith which brought her to Jesus, which taught her, that if that touch could set her free from the defiling disease itself, it was impossible to communicate defilement to Him, and that this wondrous Healer must be above such laws." (JFB)

She wasn't disappointed that day, she "came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched." (Luke 8:44)  Her healing came immediately!  

This didn't happen without Jesus noticing.  "The multitude “thronged” and pressed Him - “they jostled against Him,” but all involuntarily; they were merely carried along; but one, one only - “Somebody TOUCHED” HIM, with the conscious, voluntary, dependent touch of faith, reaching forth its hands expressly to have contact with Him. This and this only Jesus acknowledges and seeks out."  (JFB)

"Though healed as soon as she believed, it seemed to her a stolen cure - she feared to acknowledge it. Jesus therefore sets His royal seal upon it. But what a glorious dismissal from the lips of Him who is “our Peace” is that, 'Go in peace!' " (JFB)  All three accounts tell us what Jesus said, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."  (Matthew 9:22)  "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."  (Mark 5:34) "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." (Luke 8:48)

An old song tells her story and reminds us that it is His touch that matters.

Touching Jesus

A woman tried many physicians,
Yet grew worse, so to Jesus she came.
But, as the crowd tried to restrain her,
She whispered these words through her pain.

Chorus:
Touching Jesus is all that really matters,
Then your life will never be the same.
There is only one way to touch Him,
Just believe when you call on His name.

Praying Specifically

I have an update on Pastor McGriffin, but before I share it I want to point something out.  Many times when Jesus healed a person He would ask them "what will ye have me do?"  Jesus already knew their need, but He wanted to hear them ask.  There are times when we don't know the need, but other times we do know and we need to be specific in our prayers.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible said this about Matthew 20:32:

What will ye that I shall do unto you? This implies, (1.) A very fair offer; “Here I am; let me know what you would have, and you shall have it.” What would we more? He is able to do for us, and as willing as he is able; Ask, and it shall be given you. (2.) A condition annexed to this offer, which is a very easy and reasonable one - that they should tell him what they would have him do for them. One would think this a strange question, any one might tell what they would have. Christ knew well enough; but he would know it from them, whether they begged only for alms, as from a common person, or for a cure, as from the Messiah. Note, It is the will of God that we should in every thing make our requests known to him by prayer and supplication; not to inform or move him, but to qualify ourselves for the mercy. The waterman in the boat, who with his hook takes hold of the shore, does not thereby pull the shore to the boat, but the boat to the shore. So in prayer we do not draw the mercy to ourselves, but ourselves to the mercy.

Pastor McGriffin had a CT scan yesterday and the aorta is the same as it was on Sunday (no additional tearing.)  The doctor said that is good news, he said the tear will not heal, they just don't want it to get any bigger.  If his blood pressure continues to be steady, he may be discharged from the hospital this weekend.  They do not know when he will be able to fly (they are currently on the East Coast, thousands of miles from their island home.)  I know they are longing to go home, so here is my specific prayer request for the McGriffins:

First and foremost, complete healing of the aortic tear (because God is the only One Who can do it!)  Until that happens that his blood pressure will be steady and he can leave the hospital.  That God will give Pastor and Sister McGriffin peace and rest during this time.

Please help me pray specifically for this need.

Woman of the Week ~ The Woman with the Issue of Blood

We have another nameless woman this week.  Her story is short, but beautiful.  It is recorded in three of the four gospels.

Verses:  Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

Prayer Request

We received word yesterday that Pastor McGriffin is in the hospital.  He has been on the mainland for two weeks for Winter Board Meetings and a visit with family.  We were first told it was an aneurysm, but that is not the case.  I received this text from Sis. McGriffin this morning:

Doctor was in...said it was not an aneurysm. ..it was an Aortic Dissection (tear)... Type B (descending). I think that is better but the tear is from heart to kidneys.  He was very nauseated most of the night...thought he would be better after they gave him meds but still not. They think it is the pain meds or said it could be because they have his BP so low so the tear can heal.  Said he can get up today but so far he has not felt even like sitting up in bed to eat.  Blood work and chest x-rays earlier this morning were good...all I know right now. Appreciate the prayers.  I have been reading about it and it is very overwhelming but I believe God is in control.

As you can see, he needs our prayers! I know God is the Healer and am believing for complete healing, peace and rest.

The Woman at the Well ~ Woman of the Week

Last week's woman had a sad ending, this week's is just the opposite.  I love the story of the Samaritan woman at the well, she's proof of God's grace and His power to change a life.  The commentaries on this story were so good!  I had a difficult time picking and choosing what to share, so here I am on Saturday afternoon trying to get this week's study typed!

Verses:  John 4:4-42

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings
We know nothing of her family except "thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband" (John 4:18.)  We'll talk about those husbands later, but an important thing to understand is who the Samaritans were.  According to Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, the Samaritans were:

This people was formerly composed of a few of the ten tribes and a mixture of foreigners. When the ten tribes were carried away into captivity to Babylon, the King of Assyria sent people from Cutha, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to inhabit their country.  The grounds of difference between the two nations were the following:

1. The Jews, after their return from Babylon, set about rebuilding their temple. The Samaritans offered to aid them. The Jews, however, perceiving that it was not from a love of true religion, but that they might obtain a part of the favors granted to the Jews by Cyrus, rejected their offer. The consequence was, that a stare of long and bitter animosity arose between them and the Jews.

2. While Nehemiah was engaged in building the walls of Jerusalem, the Samaritans used every art to thwart him in his undertaking.

3. The Samaritans at length obtained leave of the Persian monarch to build a temple for themselves. This was erected on “Mount Gerizim,” and they strenuously contended that that was the place designated by Moses as the place where the nation should worship. Sanballat, the leader of the Samaritans, constituted his son-in-law, Manasses, high priest. The religion of the Samaritans thus became perpetuated, and an irreconcilable hatred arose between them and the Jews.

4. Afterward Samaria became a place of resort for all the outlaws of Judea. They received willingly all the Jewish criminals and refugees from justice. The violators of the Jewish laws, and those who had been excommunicated, betook themselves for safety to Samaria, and greatly increased their numbers and the hatred which subsisted between the two nations. 

5. The Samaritans received only the five books of Moses, and rejected the writings of the prophets and all the Jewish traditions. From these causes arose an irreconcilable difference between them, so that the Jews regarded them as the worst of the human race, and had no dealings with them.

One final important note is the Samaritans acknowledged the five books of Moses, so they were also expecting the coming of the Messiah.

What is she most known for? Victories? Defeats? How can I be like her? How can I avoid being like her?
Jesus made a special stop just for this woman.  John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible said, "Her coming was not by chance, but by the providence of God, and agreeably to his purpose, who orders all things according to the counsel of his will; and it is an amazing instance of grace, that a woman, a Samaritan woman, a lewd and infamous one, should be a chosen vessel of salvation, should be the object of divine favour, and be effectually called by the grace of God; when so many wise, learned, and religious men in Judea, were passed by; and not only so, but she was the happy means of conveying the knowledge of the Saviour to many of her neighbours: she came, indeed."

When Jesus asked for a drink, she responded with a question, "How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria?"  Some commentaries said she scoffed or was angry, others said she was curious or surprised.  I've always thought it was surprise or curiosity that had her questioning.  Though her lifestyle was sinful, she did not seem to be proud of it.

Synopsis of the Old and New Testaments by John Nelson Darby said, "The life of this woman was shameful; but she was ashamed of it; at the least her position had isolated her, by separating her from the crowd that forgets itself in the tumult of social life. And there is no inward grief like an isolated heart; but Christ and grace more than meets it.  What a meeting! And God who had stooped so low as to be dependent on her for a little water to quench His thirst!"

Such a conversation they had.  Jesus knew everything about her and she had no idea to Whom she was speaking.  All she could think about was actual water.  If she could have that water, she wouldn't have to come back to the well each day.  "Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.  The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband:  For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly."  Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible said, "A severe reproof of her present state of life: He whom thou now hast is not thy husband. Either she was never married to him at all, or he had some other wife, or, which is most probable, her former husband or husbands were living: so that, in short, she lived in adultery. Yet observe how mildly Christ tells her of it; he doth not call her strumpet, but tells her, He with whom thou livest is not thy husband: and then leaves it to her own conscience to say the rest."  Her response was so simple, "Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet." 

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?

I can think of no greater example of someone resetting - an encounter with Jesus changed this woman from an adulteress to an evangelist!  

"A glorious revelation of Christ acts upon the soul where it is, and brings the Person of Jesus into connection with the need already felt. "The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh; and when he is come, he will tell us all things." Small as her intelligence might be, and unable as she was to understand what Jesus had told her, His love meets her where she can receive blessing and life; and He replies, "I, that speak unto thee, am he." The work was done: the Lord was received. A poor Samaritan sinner receives the Messiah of Israel, whom the priests and the Pharisees had rejected from among the people. The moral effect upon the woman is evident. She forgets her waterpot, her toil, her circumstances. She is engrossed by this new object that is revealed to her soul — by Christ; so engrossed that, without thinking, she becomes a preacher; that is, she proclaims the Lord in the fulness of her heart and with perfect simplicity. He had told her all that she had ever done. She does not think at that moment of what it was. Jesus had told it her; and the thought of Jesus takes away the bitterness of the sin. The sense of His goodness removes the guile of heart that seeks to conceal its sin. In a word, her heart is entirely filled with Christ Himself. Many believed in Him through her declaration — "He has told me all that ever I did"; many more, when they had heard Him. His own word carried with it a stronger conviction, as more immediately connected with His Person." (John Nelson Darby)

We read of a revival in Samaria in Acts chapter 8.  Would Philip been effective there if Jesus hadn't been there first?  The people "with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake," and "there was great joy in that city."  Men and women were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.  It didn't stop with a single city but the gospel was preached in many villages.  I believe this unnamed woman was one of them!

Memories

March 5th has double significance in our family.  For 31 years it was Rod's birthday.  After his death it continued being his birthday, but we celebrated a little differently.  Two years ago, the day changed our family.  Dad passed away on Rod's 50th birthday.  That's a lot of emotion for one day.  I've written so much about these two - certainly two of the greatest male influences of my life.

The original Fultz Family

This picture has such a story.  When Rod was in 5th grade he broke his femur.  Because of his hemophilia, he spent about 6-8 weeks in the hospital, in traction.  He spent another 6-8 weeks at home in a body cast.  The entire time that Rod was in the hospital, our family visited him in the evenings when Dad got off work.  It didn't matter how tired Dad was, he would come home, shower, eat dinner, and off we'd go.  With all the pain that Rod lived through, he was never a complainer.  And Dad never complained about going to the hospital after a long day of work.

Another story - Mom, Dad and I had driven to the Monterey for a day.  This picture is on 17-Mile Drive.  This is where Dad gave me some of my favorite advice.  "Kathy, when you're deer hunting, sometimes you just need to sit on a rock and wait for the deer to come." Of course I was hunting "dear" of a different kind!  The funny thing about this story is Dad never shot a deer in his life.  He went "hunting" with my uncle Ron, but never got anything.  We liked to tease him that he was camping with a gun.  But the words of wisdom were right on!

Life just couldn't get much better than this!  I am so happy that Les and Rod became such good friends.  They instantly "got" each other.  The two of them together we so much fun.  So many laughs!

Can you say "Daddy's Girl?"

Elder Morton, Rod (giving me a hug), Les... only Dad was missing from this shot!

I think this is one of the last pictures I have of me with Dad.  This was at Kim and Rodney's wedding, March 7, 2009.

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Sunday Twin!

No Coincidence!

Les taught another amazing lesson to our Adult Sunday School class last Sunday.  The title was "God's Inspired Word."  The Bible was written by over 40 writers over a span of over 1,500 years. These writers were kings, priests, physicians, Pharisees, fishermen, shepherds, politicians, tax collectors, soldiers, scribes and butlers. It contains accurate history, science, poetry, drama, medicine, ethics and practical wisdom. And there are NO contradictions!! The Bible is truly the most amazing book ever!

As I started studying John chapter four this week, Matthew Henry's commentary gave an explanation of where Jesus was when He spoke to the woman at the well. "The place described. It was called Sychar; probably the same with Sichem, or Shechem, a place which we read much of in the Old Testament. Thus are the names of places commonly corrupted by tract of time. Shechem yielded the first proselyte that ever came into the church of Israel (Genesis 34:24), and now it is the first place where the gospel is preached out of the commonwealth of Israel."

Wait? Genesis 34? Didn't I read that last week? Sure enough! Shechem was the name of the city (and young man) where Dinah was defiled. I didn't write much about the young man, but the Bible says "he was more honourable than all the house of his father." He was raised in a town with no morals, but when faced with a decision, he tried to right the wrong he had done. All the men of the city willingly submitted themselves to the act of circumcision. Unfortunately, the sons of Jacob did not allow him to make things right, but deceived and then murdered all the men of the city.

I don't know why the woman at the well was the first New Testament woman I chose to study, but I just love how God, in His amazing wisdom, brought these two stories together for me! As many times as I've read the Bible (and I dare say most of us have read Genesis more than any other book of the Bible) the two stories, by two very different authors, came together in a new way to me. It was no coincidence.

Don't ever stop studying this precious book! There is always something new in these ancient writings.

Woman of the Week ~ The Woman of Samaria at the Well

For the next five weeks I'll be studying some of the woman who were touched by the earthly ministry of Jesus.  Many came to mind, many who are found in just a single chapter or incident.  The woman of Samaria is one of those.

Verses:  John 4:4-42

Background – parents, husband, children, siblings

What is she most known for?

Victories? Defeats?

How can I be like her?

How can I avoid being like her?

Did she reach a place when she needed to reset?  If so, did she?  For good or evil?