Christ in the Home

Matthew 19:4-6; Luke 10:38-42; II Timothy 1:3-6

GOLDEN TEXT: “These things I command you, that ye love one another.”—John 15:17

THE Scriptures assigned for this lesson present the home life and influence from three different viewpoints. First, the divinely instituted relationship of husband and wife (Matt. 19:4-6); second, the proper balance between the material and spiritual interests of the home (Luke 10:38-42); and third, the influence of heredity and environment on children in the home.—II Tim. 1:3-6

As our Golden Text emphasizes, it is certainly important that love enter into and permeate the home at all times. The oneness of husband and wife is used in the Scriptures as an illustration of the relationship between Christ and the church. In this connection, Christ’s love for the church is set forth as a pattern of the loving relationship that should exist between husband and wife. These points are enlarged upon by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:22-33. “The husband,” Paul writes, “is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the church: and He is the Savior of the body.”—Verse 23

Paul continues, “Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” But this is not a one-sided arrangement which would lead to the injury of the wives, for the apostle adds, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” If a husband loves his wife as Christ loved the church the wife can certainly have no fear in submitting herself wholly to his headship. Christ’s love for the church was a self-sacrificing one. He laid down His life for her. A husband who has the same kind of love for his wife will also lay down his life for her.

The conversation between Jesus and Martha in the home at Bethany is always of interest to followers of the Master. Jesus was visiting the home where Martha, Mary and Lazarus resided. Both sisters realized the importance of the visit, and both wanted to show their appreciation. Mary showed her interest by her desire to hear the truth from the lips of her Master, while Martha chose the very practical method of preparing a meal to satisfy His hunger.

Martha was somewhat annoyed with her sister when she showed no interest in helping to prepare the meal. It was not so much a censure of Martha as it was an indication of His own unselfishness when Jesus explained that Mary had chosen the better part. At the early age of twelve. Jesus wanted to be about His Father’s business, and through the years His viewpoint had not changed. The Father’s business for Him at the time was to bear witness to the truth. He would much rather do that than eat. He would much rather have Martha sit at His feet and hear the message than for her to be busy preparing a meal for Him. He would enjoy a “pick-up” lunch much better than a sumptuous meal if it gave Him a greater opportunity to tell of His Father’s love and plan.

Martha was evidently a good scholar. Later, when their brother Lazarus died, it was she who first met the Lord and conversed with Him concerning the hope of the resurrection. Her conversation on this occasion reveals a knowledge of the resurrection and a firm conviction concerning it. “I know,” she said, “that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” (John 11:24) Martha, even as Mary, had spent much time sitting at. Jesus’ feet learning of Him, and she too had learned that this was the “better part.”

Jesus’ statement that Mary had chosen the better part has too often been used as a condemnation of Martha, who was unselfishly serving, rather than as a reminder to all of us that spiritual interests should come before material interests. It does not follow that those who devote their time to the service of the truth are entitled to special consideration along material lines. Jesus did not feel that way about it. He was willing to go without a meal altogether if by so doing Martha could have a better opportunity to hear the truth.

Heredity and environment are potent in the lives of people, but they do not determine who become Christians and who do not. This is a matter of faith, and hearing and is to “as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) The Scriptures indicate, however, that children of the consecrated are specially favored in connection with the call, provided they are of the right heart condition. Those who have had consecrated parents have much for which to be thankful, but not a few of the called ones have been those whose parents and grandparents have been unbelievers. The importance of this part of the lesson to us is that if we have children we should endeavor to raise them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Solomon says that if we train a child in the way he should go, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) Undoubtedly this is true in principle. To the extent that the principle may at times fail is probably due to the parents’ lack of wisdom in properly training the child, or to powerful subversive influences that came into the child’s life in later years. Even so, the effects of early Christian training are never wholly lost, and it should be the desire of all Christian parents that their children grow up to honor and worship the Lord.

QUESTIONS:

Of what do the Scriptures use the relationship of husband and wife as an illustration?

Why did Jesus commend Mary above Martha?

What is the determining factor in all those who are called to be Christians?

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