We are all unique, having our own personalities, talents, and quirks. So it should be no surprise two Biblical sisters – Mary and Martha – can confirm this to be true. They were pretty different from each other as well. Jesus took note of it; Luke made sure we knew the details.
As the disciples were traveling, they were welcomed into the home of these two sisters. Martha, who had extended the invitation, was hustling about preparing a big dinner. Mary, we are told, sat at the Lord’s feet. Martha gets a little peeved when she notices Mary is not helping her at all with the preparations. And she complains to Jesus.
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone?
Then tell her to help me.”
(Luke 10: 40, NASB)
Martha was doing exactly what women in her day would have been expected to do – prepare and serve the meal. She was the one who had opened her home, and had to have recognized the amount of work it would entail to prepare a meal for Jesus and the disciples. Yet she seems to want Jesus to tell Mary to get up and assist her.
Jesus doesn’t do so.
“But the Lord answered and said to her,
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things;
but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part,
which shall not be taken away from her.”
(Luke 10: 41-42, NASB)
Instead of telling Mary to go help her sister, Jesus gently puts Martha in her place and affirms Mary. Given that Mary was joining Jesus and His disciples, it is almost as if Jesus was saying, “Be a disciple.”
A disciple learns the ways of another. They are trained by the Teacher. They adhere to their teachings and doctrines because they know Him. They become like their teacher or mentor.
I think He would say those very same words to us today. We can so get busy with activities, good ones at that, and mistake these to be relationship and time spent with Him. But this is not what He wants from us.
Jesus longs for us to take the time to be with Him. To learn His ways. To be a disciple.
As we get busy these coming months, may we think about these two sisters. Martha was distracted with the preparations and missed the most important which was in front of her. Jesus pointed out that Mary had chosen to pause and spend time with Him. He tells us she was the one who had made the better choice.
May we remember to make the better choice.
For it will always come down to choice, and the choice is ours.
Be a disciple.
Reflection:
How do you stay focused on your relationship with God during this time
of year? Do you struggle with balancing preparation and devotions?
Photo by Libby Penner on Unsplash
I so love the Mary-Martha story. I don't think I had a Martha problem until I became a mom - lol. I do struggle. When my son married a few weeks ago, there was so much to to - and I realized how I can get immersed in the to-do and miss the sweetness. I was intentional this time - but there were still things that needed to-doing. It's hard when the responsibility rests on our shoulders. I do wonder, though - what would the apostles had done for food if Martha had just sat down. Or maybe she should have spent more time listening in the doorway instead of fuming?
ReplyDeleteMaryleigh, I think you are asking powerful questions. They point us to remember the importance of balance. In reading the familiar story this week, I saw Jesus gently calling Martha to come sit for a few minutes. To come and listen. He bids us too, "Come and learn of Me." And ... you are absolutely right - it is a most difficult thing to balance our responsibilities.
DeletePerhaps each was in service to Jesus in their own way. Yes Jesus wouldn’t be there forever; but how lovely to know you fussed after him.
ReplyDeleteI have had some of the same questions Maryleigh raised. I realize that spending time with Jesus is more important than service, even well-meant service directed towards Him. But I've often wondered about those times when you have to take care of details. And they didn't have Door Dash in those days, nor even frozen pizza. :-) Perhaps she could have had a simpler meal than she was trying to get together, or she could have waited until Jesus was done teaching. But the lesson is clear to put Jesus first and serve without feeling worried and bothered.
ReplyDelete