Luke 10 - Are You a Mary or a Martha?
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f]Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
This is a classic story about two personality types, Mary and Martha. Martha was an organizer. She was the one who made sure all of the details were taken care of. She probably had a project plan. Her main goal was to make sure everything went smoothly, and Jesus was shown good Middle Eastern hospitality.
Mary on the other hand wanted to be present when Jesus came. She was so excited by his visit that she did not want to miss a thing. In typical fashion when a rabbi came to a home the disciples sat at their feet to listen to their teaching. This was Mary's bold move, especially since she was a woman.
I don't think in this situation one person was wrong and one was right. But Jesus said Mary has chosen better. Martha certainly wanted to please Jesus in serving him. And there is nothing wrong with that as Jesus says serving others is the key to obeying the law. But in Martha's service apparently she got distracted and maybe too caught in the details so she could not even sit at Jesus' feet. After all Mary had probably helped set up as well, but then realized that the Master was in their midst.
Here is what one commentator says,
"There are many people who become crabby and irritable in their service for the Lord like Martha was. It is easy to look at all we do and to criticize those who don’t seem to do as much. But Martha’s real problem wasn’t Mary; it was Martha. She had become distracted and had taken her eyes off Jesus.
I am sure we can all relate to Martha. I know I can. One of my big prayers on my wedding day sixteen years ago was I wouldn't be so caught up in all the details of the service and reception, I would miss the holiness of the moment with my bride at the altar. And then enjoy and fun with people at the reception.
It is very easy in the church to take our eyes off of Jesus. We get so busy doing things for him, we don't spend time with him at his feet. When and where do you get time to sit at Jesus' feet? I think one opportunity is at worship on Sundays. At worship we praise God, hear and see Jesus revealed in His word, and we receive the sacrament of Holy Communion, Jesus' real presence. We have a chance to bask in Jesus' presence through the Word and Sacrament. He promised he would be in our midst whenever two or three gather in His name.
Next Sunday take the posture of Mary and sit at Jesus' feet. Don't get distracted by everything going on but as the Church is the bride and Jesus is the bridgegroom let's not miss the holiness of the moment!
Comments
Post a Comment