Do you feel busy and overcome by all the different demands screaming at you in different directions? Do you feel you have no time to pray or be with the Lord?

Martha could relate:

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. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-41, NIV

But this passage shows that taking time with Jesus is a choice that we can and should make, even when we feel there is lots to do. This story of Mary and Martha can be considered a great introduction to the Lord’s prayer, which Jesus teaches in the following verses: both show the importance of single-minded devotion to God.

Martha seems exasperated in this passage. And with good reason: Mary seems utterly lazy and irresponsible. She sits down at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39) and lets Martha do everything! Don’t you feel Martha’s response is a little justified? Perhaps you too are running around busy and jealous of those ”lazy” people who seem to enjoy being Christians, but don’t work hard enough. But perhaps you are running without good reason, and Jesus asks you to sit and receive His grace. Then you’ll be more gracious to those around you as well.

Martha is serving the guests,  and doing the utmost to make sure everyone is looked after. She seems like the epitome of a good woman in the Jewish culture of the day, where women were second class citizens who were to serve, and not learn from rabbis  (Strauss 2002:417). Even nowadays, some may consider her the model woman. She is doing what Jesus asks all of us to do, which is to serve, right? So nothing could be wrong with that, right? Or maybe, just maybe, everything is. It’s not so much what she does as how she does it that’s a problem.

Martha is “distracted” (Luke 10:39). “Martha’s attention, instead of centring round Jesus, was drawn hither and thither” in lots of different directions (Vincent 1887:357). She is “worried and upset” (Luke 10:41) She is angry that her sister is not helping her and tells Jesus to make her to do her duty.  

Mary, on the other hand, listens humbly, at a low position, and intently. She has her eyes focused on one person only: Jesus.

If Jesus had taken the cultural approach prevalent at that time, he would have agreed with Martha that Mary should be helping out in the house (Strauss 2002:417). For this reason, His answer is unexpected. He holds Mary up as an example. He tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is better (Luke 10:41). For Martha there seems to be no choice. There are things that have to be attended to and they must be done. However, Jesus is telling Martha that there is indeed a choice, and we do not have to let our lives be dictated by external concerns. Mary, whose name could mean “excellent” (Nolland 1993:604), has chosen the more excellent way. She sits and listens while Martha bustles about. Her focus is unidirectional. She prioritises listening to the Word of God. What she has chosen, Jesus says, “will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).

For Martha there seems to be no choice. There are things that have to be attended to and they must be done. However, Jesus is telling Martha that there is indeed a choice, and we do not have to let our lives be dictated by external concerns.

It is not the case that practical work and service to others are wrong. The most important commandment is centred on love for both God and one’s neighbour. Love to God does mean service to others. But love for Jesus should have our first priority. From this love, all our other actions flow (Wiersbe 1993:213).

The being with Jesus comes first; the doing follows (Wiersbe 1993:213). We are saved by grace not by works. And for this reason there is time, time to come to the table of God’s mercy. It is laid, ready, and full with wonderful delightful food. It is there, but God asks us to come and receive it. So slow down, make the time, and receive.

Receive, so once again, you can give.

Like Martha, there is a choice, however busy we may think we are.

References

Nolland, J. 1993. Luke 9:21-18:34. In: Word Biblical Commentary, vol. 35b. Nashville (TN): Thomas Nelson.

Vincent, M.R. 1887. Word studies in the New Testament, vol. 1. [Logos Digital Edition]. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

Wiersbe, W.W. 1996. The Bible exposition commentary, vol. 1. [Logos Digital Edition]. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Strauss, M. 2002. Luke, in C.E. Arnold (ed.), In: Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, vol. 1. Grand Rapids (MI): Zondervan.