“Now as they were traveling along and entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord’s word, seated at his feet. But Martha was distracted with all of her preparations; and she came up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all of the serving alone, then tell her to help me.”
Luke 10:38-40
Every time I read these scriptures I cannot help but think that Martha and I may be related. First cousins? Sisters? Maybe, we are one and the same. I think most women I know can identify with Martha and her anxiety about having company over. Martha probably bit off more than she could chew and was possibly more concerned about how her house looked than actually spending time with the Lord.
Here me out….
You have invited someone into your home…not just anyone. You have invited the Lord. You are busy making the last minute preparations and possibly a little stressed. I can see Martha scurrying around her house, tying together loose ends. She was probably setting the table, taking the bread out of the oven and whipping up a dessert all at the same time. She could have been sweeping a little dirt under the rug while picking up the kids toys or hiding the mountain of unfolded laundry in her well used and abused washroom.
Not only was Martha worried and bothered by so many things, she also took the time to complain to the Lord about her sister who was living her best life just hanging out, talking to Jesus. One thing that cannot be overlooked is the fact she was treating the Lord like an earthly father as well. Tattling on your sibling who is not helping pull her own weight is a totally justifiable case. Martha also sounded very confident that the Lord may take her side too.
But he didn’t take her side in agreement. He said her name, not once but twice and then proceeded to tell her that Mary had chosen the good part and it shall not be taken from her. Mary chose for her time to be completely spent with Jesus, sitting at his feet and listening to his words. And he chose not to change anything about her heavenly encounter.
Mary had her priorities straight and Martha was letting her worry and stress pull her away from Jesus.
Or, was Martha trying to impress the Lord with her good works? Was she showing out with all of her busyness and the Lord failed to take notice?
In our society it really easy to get busy and stay busy. Society loves for women to be validated by how busy they can stay. It is often said that If the devil cannot distract you with sin, he can make you busy. How much precious time are we wasting by being worried and bothered by so many things that are not even necessary. When Jesus said, “Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her”, he was telling Martha that she was missing out on everything that was good about his brief visit.
His visit was the only thing necessary that day at Martha’s house.
Jesus wants us to enjoy his company. What valuable things are you missing out on by being worried and bothered about so many things that are not even necessary?
“But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42
