Mary and Martha

Who are you?

The setup: Jesus goes to visit the home of Martha. Martha’s sister is there.

Luke 10:38-42
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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

It’s not that Jesus doesn’t think that preparations are important. Jesus ate and drank. (Someone prepared the meals.) Scripture values service.

Contrasted attitudes to Jesus’ presence.

Martha is worried. Pasta to drain. a cake to frost, coffee to grind, stemware to polish. Light a candle. Where is the good silverware? She’s Supermartha. 

Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, [sigh] you are worried and bothered about so many things.”

Mary: seated at the Master’s feet. Listening. Quiet. Attentive. 

Sometimes this is proper. Jesus says “necessary.” 

“Mary has chosen the good part.”

Today, let’s focus on the “good part.” Remember: It’s possible to mentally be with the pasta, cake, coffee, stemware. Even when your body is in front of Jesus. So, as we gather here let’s listen. Forget the commute, the boss, the deadlines, the term paper, shopping list, the undone taxes, the unpaid bills. We gather at the feet of Jesus.

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Sidenote: Never accuse someone to Jesus. He’ll probably pull out the mirror. Martha, don’t worry. The plank and the speck (Luke 6:42). The woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11).