Standing at the podium,
the person begins to tear up.
They exclaim their love for the Lord
and how much He means to them.
Many people in the congregation share tears with the speaker.
Turning to their neighbor,
a member of the congregation condescendingly notices,
there eyes were dry.
I wonder why they aren't feeling the spirit of the Lord,
they think.
This isn't an uncommon thought process.
Some grow up wondering why they can't feel the Spirit,
as strong as their neighbor, since they have never cried themselves.
An expression of faith is just as unique as the person expressing it,
and most importantly,
Christ doesn't condemn a person whether they cry when they feel the Spirit.
I have had this thought rattling in my brain for many years,
but could not find an adequate way of expressing it.
My professor explained it in a way that exceeded even what I felt would have been adequate.
The story starts in Luke 10.
Let's start in verse 38.
"[Christ] entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house."
It's important to note that the house is referred to as Martha's house,
It would seem that she would be in charge and be hosting Christ.
Verse 39-40
"And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word.
But Martha was cumbered about much serving,"
Up to this point Christ has said nothing to Martha.
If Christ came to my house,
I would be panic cleaning and preparing something for Him to eat.
Let's continue,
"[Martha] came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."
My professor had a great point,
when has Christ ever said after someone was accused,
Oh, you know? you're right. Go ahead and help.
He has never! So He doesn't at this point either.
"Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Why does Christ wait until now to say something?
If Martha was frustrated enough to say something I'm sure she's been laboring for a good time by now.
Christ wasn't condemning what Martha was doing,
but rather condemning Martha judging Mary.
Is Mary more faithful than Martha?
From this story we can't tell.
All we can tell is that they show their faith and express it in different ways.
Later in the book of John, it was written that Jesus loved Martha.
and as Jesus visited after the death of Lazarus,
He spoke with Martha as she was taking care of everyone,
and shared profound points of doctrine.
Mary's way of expressing faith was to kneel before the Lord.
Martha's expression of faith was to work and prepare her house for the Lord.
The Lord did not condemn one action over the other.
This is where it all ties in,
whether you are crying, over-joyous, or logically appreciating the doctrine truth silently in your mind,
the Lord knows your faith.
Don't think you're missing a feeling of the Spirit,
just because your eyes stay dry throughout the church meeting.
Work with the Lord and come to know how the Spirit works with you,
and how you as an individual can express your faith throughout your life.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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