Compassion
Our small group bible study for RUF this semester is about loving like Christ. Tonight, we talked about several passages: Luke 10:38-42 (the one of Martha and Mary), Mark 8:1-13 (the one of Jesus feeding the 4000), and Mark 10:46-52 (Christ showing compassion).I never realized until tonight how powerful these passages are. The story of Martha and Mary really hit home - not because I know of sibling relationships, but because I am so legalistic. Perhaps that is why I like traditional things so much. I like being told what I should do and I don't like to stray from that. I would definitely be Martha in this story. As Doug points out in our material, learning from a rabbi was a man's job. Mary was being the "rebel" and Martha was pointing out that she wasn't doing her role as a female. There are a lot of assumptions to be made about the tone of it all, but it seems that Martha is complaining to Jesus (instead of being concerned) that Mary is not where she should be according to tradition. And she (Martha) is not tending to her guests and is probably being short with them. I know I get this way so much and it is really hard for me to see it. I'm sure my selfishness is ten fold greater than Martha's, so it pains me to think of how little I truly love other people.
The disciples did not believe that they could feed the four thousand. These are the disciples that followed Christ and were with Him all the time, and even recently saw the same miracle performed with less available and to more people (I didn't know that until tonight!!!) Thank God for revelation! If these disciples that actually KNEW Jesus couldn't pick up on something like this, oh, how much more hopeless would I be in the same situation! I am so thankful to have the Bible available to me.
The third passage is a model that I want to adopt. "What do you want?" and "How can I serve you?" Why are these questions so hard to ask? I know that I have problems asking these because of a fear of rejection or mockery. People denying that they need help because they are strong enough on their own. I suppose I have this fear because that is typically how I respond to someone asking me that. I have been pretty independent most of my life, but have always yearned for dependency and comfort. I want to serve more than I do and I want to be able to allow others to serve me.
Sorry if this post seems pretty unorganized. I have so much going through my head right now it's hard to keep track. I have to get back to analyzing a map for Synoptic and looking over my sounding for CRP that I have to present tomorrow. And I have to work on my German assignment. And I have to read. And then maybe sleep, assuming I can breathe okay. Good night!
posted by Unknown @ 9/20/2005 10:34:00 PM
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