This evening, I was thinking about Martha and how she was blessed to have Jesus at her home. While there, He began teaching. Although in earshot, she was focused on getting the meal prepared. Her sister, Mary, however, was planted at Jesus’ feet, taking in His words.
Martha was deeply involved in all things meal-related and the kitchen. She was also well aware that Mary wasn’t helping her. That irritated Martha. So, she decided to address the situation. I can imagine her thinking, “Mary will be in this kitchen today helping me!!”
She marched into the room, cleared her throat, looked at Jesus with pitiful eyes, and said, “Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the serving all by myself? Tell her to get up and help me.”
Oh, Martha was good. She pulled out the “Jesus, don’t you care?” card. She was determined to yank Mary up from her spot and get her on dish duty. That was her focus! You, Mary, are going to get in here and help!
But I love the way Jesus handled Martha’s stance. He didn’t shy away from addressing her demand. He told her she was concerned about a lot of things. But added, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Whew, Martha didn’t anticipate hearing Jesus telling her No. He wasn’t going to make Mary vacate her position to go help out her sister. Mary was able to continue soaking up the precious teachings from Jesus without further interruption from her sister. Martha’s attempt to redirect Mary’s focus from Jesus to the kitchen failed.
Martha and Mary were given the same opportunity at the same time and location. Their experiences with Jesus were different because of what each one chose to focus on.
Did Martha drop what she was doing to embrace the better part? The scriptures do not elaborate. One thing is sure: Mary remained at Jesus’ feet, and she remained focused on His word.
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and 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.41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)