Verse 40
40. Cumbered Her mind was not only occupied, but disturbed and
distracted. Much serving The preparations of the apartments for her guest; furnishings, and feastings, and lodging. This was to honour him, but in a very physical way. To provide amply for her Lord was her duty, and practical proof of her love and faith, (as attested in John 11:20-28;) but there was a way more truly to honour him than by considering him as an epicure who had come for a banquet. Mary better understood that the Son of God sojourned but briefly upon earth, and that he devoted these few hours to their quiet home for higher purposes than the appetites of the table. Lord,
dost thou not care? Now, this is a nervous lady; and hers is a sharp, nay, a two-edged speech. It cuts Mary, and it cuts our Lord. Dost thou not care? This seems to mean that lazy Mary shirks, while Jesus, who ought to prevent, is indulging her.
Hath left me That is, she aided Martha for a while, until, perhaps, a sense of divine propriety said, “Enough; to provide more were an overdoing which he would blame;” and then she left, satisfied that she honoured the Lord more, and that she fulfilled the purpose of his visit better, by listening to the truths of the great Teacher than by providing a luxurious banquet or superabundant furnishings.
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