Today we continue with our Heroes series, and will look a little at Mary and Martha. Along with Lazarus, their brother, this family held. A special place in Jesus’ heart. Let’s look at the following as a primary text:
Luke 10:38-42: 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."
Couple of things to note from this passage at first glance:
Tradition is to feed the guests - make sure that they are cared for.
This is Martha’s home. It is probably that Mary was a much younger sibling and may have lived with her, but it’s Martha’s home.
Jesus treats women differently to other teachers of his day - He gave a place for Mary to listen to the teaching.
Don’t Mix Up The Priorities
Here we have two very different sisters, same parents, different personalities. Different motivations. Different everything it seems.
Martha is a doer. She is a task orientated person. She needs to make sure everything is done right, everyone is happy, everyone is cared for. She’s not lazy. She is the sort of person you’d accept a dinner invitation from because you know you’re in for a real treat.
She’s also a worrier. That worry might be the thing that worry might be the timing that drives her - a desire for things to be perfect. Jesus told her: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things...”
What makes this case interesting, however, is that Martha is worried about something good. She’s having Jesus over for dinner. She’s literally serving God. Her aim was to please Jesus.
But, as she began to work for Him her work became more important than her Lord. What began as a way to serve Jesus, slowly and subtly became a way to serve self.
The things she is doing for Jesus are no longer about Him, but about her. Duty has taken over service. Accolades have taken over the hidden nature her ministry.
Her complaint to Jesus is one based on bitterness and resentment. You know when the cookies upset, the pits a clanging, the cupboard doors banging, huffing and puffing and tutting coming from the kitchen area.
You can just see her peeking out at her lazy sister: “that Mary, always getting ideas above herself, always so lazy, always content to let me do the work.”
Principle: do not expect other people to match your expectations of service. People are not there to serve you.
Eventually that bitterness and anger turns fromm MAry and is pointed towards Jesus - "Lord, don't you care....”
You see our disappointment in people will eventually become disappointment in Jesus. With this we are just one short step and decision from leaving church, abandoning fellowship, even ditching our faith.
And how did this all start? She invited Jesus to come in to her home. Her gift of hospitality began to write cheques her heart could not honour.
Martha is suffering from a self inflicted wound cooking a meal that Jesus never asked for!
Don’t get me wrong, Jesus had to eat, He just wasn’t hungry then. He seems to have no problems elsewhere asking for a drink (John 4:7), or even healing someone and accepting of their hospitality (Luke 4:39).
The issue isn’t what is being done - its how it is being done. Satan knows that. This tool of distortion is one of Satan’s slyest. Note: He didn’t take Martha out of the kitchen; he took away her purpose in the kitchen.
Principle: Satan won’t take you away from your ministry; he’ll disillusion you in your ministry. (Max Lucado).
Don’t Miss the Invitation
Martha and Mary both have made a choice of how they are going to show their welcome and their love for Jesus: Martha chooses busyness. Mary chooses to sit at His feet.
Sometimes in life we have to exchange something good for something better. Mary, according to Jesus, has chosen the better thing: “Mary has chosen what is better...”
There are so many things in this life that will take our attention. Some of them are unnecessary, that we can do without.
Barbie and I are not only in the process of decluttering our house but also our lives too. So some subscription services are now cancelled - no, more live formula one for me.
Other things are necessary but can sometimes swarm our lives: work, travel, family commitments, our children’s schedules, just doing life.
We need to make space. We need it for our souls. For our physical wellbeing. For our emotions. For our health.
Psalm 91:1: He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
There is something about dwelling, pausing, reflecting on what God is saying, rather than treating our spiritual lives and relationship with Him like a visit to McDonalds - in and out because it’s convenient.
To dwell is to linger. It encourages stillness in our schedule.
Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God...”
I wonder when was the last time you went to St.Mary’s College? I am a naturally task orientated person. I’m like Martha in that sense. I’d rather have a dozen projects, deadlines, and positive pressures than not. So I deliberately make space for reflection and prayer. In my diary I have a monthly day called “St. Mary’s College” - where I try and go and sit at the feet of Jesus.
When Jesus tells Martha that there is something better that wont be taken from MAry - there is an invitation for her to join with them. He is not castigating her for her choice to the the good thing, He is inviting her to joking in with the better thing.
Don’t miss the invitation of Jesus over your life.
Principle: don’t exchange intimacy with Jesus with busyness for Jesus.
Don’t Ignore the Presence
40a: But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.
Note the word: distracted. What happens when you’re distracted? Bad things can happen! Accidents if we are distracted on the road whilst driving. Missed victories in the football match if the goalkeeper is distracted. Harm to a patient if the surgeon is distracted mid-operation.
Illustration: On Dec. 29, 1972, Eastern Air Lines Flight 401 crashed into a swamp near Miami, killing 101 people. Investigators said the three crew members and a jumpseat occupant were so distracted by a malfunctioning warning light that they didn't notice the auto-pilot was disengaged until it was too late. (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-distraction-online-political-sean-pennperspec-0308-jm-20150313-story.html).
Distracted builder story.
What is Martha distracted from? From what Mary was enjoying: “...Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.” (39).
Friends we can be so busy for Jesus that we actually forget that Jesus is with us. We can ignore His presence because we are trying to manage His presence. We can forget He is Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14).
I wonder what it will take for Jesus to grab the attention He deserves in our lives. I wonder if we need a crisis of duty against service - like Martha did - for hIm to be able to invite us closer.
You see for Martha Jesus was present. He invited her closer. He invites us all to be closer. To be nearer.
Principle: don’t be distracted from the presence of Jesus in your life
Wrapping this up:
The invitation this week is to come and sit at the feet of Jesus.
To spend time with Him.
He is beckoning you to come and sit at His feet.
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