Luke 10:38 – 42
A Message from Mary and Martha shows powerful information indicating what is essential; sitting at the feet of Jesus or focusing on other tasks. Mary and Martha were two different personalities. Mary seems timid and calm and wants to listen to Jesus. Martha seems driven and very bold. I mean, whining to Jesus about Mary leaving her to serve and telling Jesus to tell Mary to help her? Perhaps Martha was only focusing on the cooking and serving and lost sight of the message she could have learned from Jesus. On what was truly important.
They both wanted to do what was right. After all, it was customary at that time for women to serve. Martha opened the door and invited Jesus in. But both felt they had different priorities. However, what would have happened if Mary prioritized doing instead of making Jesus the priority? She would have missed the opportunity of Jesus to talk about God in her own house. I believe in her mind; she chose not to hide what her heart told her she needed to do. She knew that she was being given a blessing and chose that path.
Martha, however, was so caught up in all of her tasks and saw no help from Mary, which made her more frustrated that she lost control and thought if she could get Jesus on her side, everything would be fine. That interaction backfired. Perhaps Martha’s personality needed control; it is a primary character trait of many. When we lose power, we experience resentment. We get defensive and bitter when others don’t do as we want. Thus allowing for tempers to flare and we lash out.
Jesus responds with an answer that reinforces what Martha is feeling and what is essential. “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
A gentle response from Jesus was an “aha” moment for Martha, while showing Mary he was proud of her choice.
There is no better place to realign ourselves than at the feet of Jesus.
The above is such a reminder that our answers reside in God.