There are several Mary’s mentioned in the Bible, but this post is going to focus on one that was more quiet, silent, and focused. Mary of Bethany was the sister of Martha and Lazarus. She appears a few times in scripture: once when she is sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening intently at His teachings, focused and learning, drinking in everything the Christ has to say. The second time is when Lazarus has died, and Jesus arrives on the scene at his tomb.
We often focus on Martha and her anxious behavior and complaining. We focus on her correction and the lesson of listening to Jesus, rather than working. This is a great lesson and one to be remembered, but what about Mary?
Some scholars feel Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene is the same person, and, if that is the case, she actually appears in scripture a few more times. She is the one that anoints Christ for burial by pouring precious oils (perfume) over his feet and drying them with her hair. She also may have been one of the women at the foot of the cross and at the tomb. She was probably the one He appeared to first after His resurrection.
A reformed “woman of the night”, a woman who’s priority was hearing from Jesus, a woman who sacrificed of her finances and worldly possessions for the Christ…what type of woman am I? what type of woman are you?