Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…
“Martha, Martha…” (Luke 10:41). She’s my kindred spirit. She’s a mover and a shaker. She’s organized. She gets things done. If I had my choice, I’d rather work with one Martha than ten Mary’s. So it irritates me when people think of her negatively based on a few verses of Scripture.
Martha, her sister Mary, and their brother Lazarus lived in Bethany, a village just a couple of miles from Jerusalem. Commentaries indicate it was Martha’s house, so although all three siblings lived there, it was probably Martha who called the shots. It was Martha who invited Jesus to her house (Luke 10:38).
Scriptures suggest that Jesus felt comfortable there. What qualities must one possess where Jesus feels comfortable to visit? Whatever they are, Martha seemed to create them in a warm, hospitable environment. The Bible says that Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:5). While it’s true that Jesus loves all of us, He must have had a special affection for these three, or it wouldn’t have been mentioned.
We can envision Martha busying herself with household chores and all the necessary preparations to provide a meal for her special guest. Where was her sister Mary during all this??? She was sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening intently, instead of doing what Martha thought she should do—help her in the kitchen. Finally, Martha had enough. I’ve been there…
Poor me! Doesn’t anyone appreciate how hard I work? There wouldn’t even be a meal if I didn’t cook it. I’m always looking out for the needs of others. Can’t my sister see how frazzled I am? Why doesn’t she get up off her lazy keister and help?
So in Martha’s frustration, she asks Jesus to intercede and make Mary help her. This is when Jesus makes His famous reply, “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
I used to find this one of the most irritating verses in the Bible because I thought Jesus was putting down Martha’s efforts. However, that is not really the case. When He says, “Martha, Martha,” it is not a tone of rebuke, but rather affection. He knew her heart was seeking to provide him with a pleasant, relaxing experience. So Jesus isn’t chastising her. He doesn’t say, “Martha, you need to just stop what you are doing and come sit here by Mary.” He is letting her know that while we serve, we must never forget the reason for the service. When we do, we get distracted (Luke 10:40) from more important issues.
We worker bees sometimes forget that usually we are the ones making the decision to take on responsibilities. Then we get upset when people don’t notice we are stressed and jump in to help. We blame them for adding to our distress. One thing Jesus is trying to point out here is that Martha should not be judging Mary’s decision.
This is not a case of Mary is good and Martha is not. Actually, Mary choosing to sit at Jesus’ feet was quite a gutsy move during that time. It went against the norm of the day. Culturally speaking, she should have been in the kitchen. Yet, here we have just one of the many examples of Jesus treating women with a certain dignity and respect that was not the custom of the day.
Later, the Bible records another time when Jesus once again comes to this house, shortly before Passover (John 12:1-3). Here we see Martha serving and Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with fragrant oil. Martha was doing her thing and Mary was doing hers. They had different personalities and different ways of expressing their love for Jesus—and Jesus was okay with that.
In an ideal world, we would be perfectly balanced with an equal amount of Martha and Mary in each of us. However, it doesn’t really matter. If our focus stays on Christ, we can serve Him regardless of personality proclivities as long as we are careful not to not judge those who don’t do it our way. For Jesus loved both Martha and Mary—and He loves me, too.
*****
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
