8月14日靈修禱文|DEVOTION

Luke 10:41-42

Despite being familiar with the story of Martha and Mary, I was touched anew every time I read it. This time I noticed Lord Jesus' knowledge and attitude about the two sisters. He pointed out Martha's problem gently and earnestly. She did not focus on Lord Jesus. She still centred on her own wish. She thought what Lord Jesus needed was a delicious meal. However, he had said to his disciples, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (see John 4:34) Please don't get me wrong. I don't mean that Lord Jesus did not need to eat whilst on earth. He knew the hearts of the two sisters very well. We can see this from how he reminded Martha. In Lord Jesus' time, it was not easy for a young woman to be among a group of men. I guess Mary was not only reproached by her sister. The disciples around Lord Jesus would probably also give her dirty looks. But Mary didn't care about these, as her heart was totally attracted by Lord Jesus. It is just like the sentence "O God, with all my heart, I long for you!" in our C&MA Vision Prayer. Mary did not, and need not, defend herself. Lord Jesus spoke for her personally. While he supported and protected Mary, who could take away the good portion that she had chosen? Thank the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus, you know the hearts of Martha and Mary. You know ours too. May heavenly Father's love greatly attract us, fill us and transform us. May we also be like Mary, to follow and serve Lord Jesus wholly and unreservedly. If we didn't learn the Lord's words in his presence quietly, we could not have the kind of service like pouring the ointment to anoint the feet of him. (see John 12:1-8) May Lord Jesus always remind us not to be distracted by many things. May the Holy Spirit the Counselor give us wisdom and courage to choose the good portion! Amen!

Rev. Jun Cai

路加福音10:41-42

雖然已經熟悉馬大馬利亞的故事，但是每一次讀都會有新的感動。這一次是看到主耶穌對兩姐妹的認識和態度，主耶穌溫柔真切地指出馬大的問題，她的注意力沒有放在主耶穌身上，她依舊是以自我意願為中心，她以為主耶穌需要的是一頓美食，然而主耶穌曾經對門徒說過，“我的食物就是遵行差我來者的旨意，作成他的工。”（參約翰福音4:34）請不要誤會，我不是說主耶穌在地上的時候不需要吃飯，而是從主耶穌對馬大的提醒中看到，主耶穌深知兩姐妹心中的光景。在主耶穌的年代，一個小女子置身於一群男士中間不是一件容易的事情，猜想那時的馬利亞不僅被姐姐責備，主耶穌身邊的門徒也不會給她好臉色吧。然而，馬利亞顧不上這些了，因為她的心完全被主耶穌吸引了，正如宣道會門徒禱告中的一句話，“神啊，我全心渴慕你！”。馬利亞沒有也不需要為自己辯解，主耶穌親自為馬利亞說話，有了主耶穌的肯定和保護，誰又能奪去馬利亞已經選擇的上好福分呢？感謝主！

親愛的主耶穌，您知道馬大馬利亞的心，您也知道我們在您面前的心。求天父的愛大大地吸引我們、充滿我們、更新我們。願我們也想馬利亞一樣，全然地、毫無保留地追隨主耶穌、服事主耶穌。若沒有在主腳前沉靜地學道，就沒有在主腳前傾倒香膏的服事（參約翰福音12:1-8）。求主耶穌時常地提醒我們，不要被許多的事打擾分心，求聖靈保惠師賜給我們智慧和勇氣選擇那上好的福分！阿們！

蔡軍 牧師