Martha and Mary

Lk 10:38-42 takes place at Martha’s house in Bethany.  She invited Jesus and the disciples who were with him for a meal.  Martha and Mary were both there.  While Martha was serving, Jesus was speaking to those who were with him and Mary was sitting at his feet listening.  Martha got fussy over the fact that Mary wouldn’t help her and Jesus wouldn’t make her.  From this episode we learn some valuable lessons.

Hospitality is a good thing. Rom 12:17.  Martha received Jesus and those who were with him into her house, Matt 10:14.

Service is a good thing.  We are instructed to serve.  Matt 10:40-42, Eph 6:7-8.  We are to do this as unto the Lord.

“Cumbered” is not a good thing.  Martha’s problem was “much serving”.  She was doing more than she needed.  Cumbered is harassed… exhausted, fatigued.  You won’t enjoy your serving.  And frankly neither will others when they see or experience your attitude.

It wasn’t the Lord’s fault.  Martha asked, “Lord, dost thou not care”.  Yes, he cares.  He always does.  When you get stressed out in service, don’t take it out on the Lord.

It wasn’t the fault of the ones she was serving.  “My sister hath left me to serve alone”.  Martha could have handle this meal.  But it became about her instead of the ones she was serving.  Don’t get fussy with those you’re serving.  The trouble will become strife, vainglory, and envy, Phil 2:3.  You should be trying to facilitate their ability to hear from the Lord.

It was Martha’s fault.  She was careful and troubled about many things.  What compounded the problem was “many things”.  It wasn’t just the meal.  If Martha hadn’t been troubled about so many other things she probably could have handled this meal without being cumbered.  When you get into this shape, you prioritize the carnal over the spiritual, the temporal over the eternal.  Matt 6:25-34.  What you have to offer becomes more important to you than what the Lord has to offer.

“Careful” is meticulously careful.  “Things” should not cause you this much care.  Troubled is worried.  Let not your heart be troubled.  You shouldn’t bring things on yourself that trouble you.  Man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward.  Yet such shall have trouble in the flesh.  You don’t need to add to the trouble that already exists in this life.

One thing is needful.  Mary “hath chosen that good part”.  It’s a choice.  Mary chose to sit and hear what Jesus had to say.  This is essential, not optional.  And this needful thing is a “good part”.  You can do without the carnal things (it’s not about the food; it’s about the fellowship).

The problem with people who serve a lot is that they miss time with Jesus.  And the time spent hearing Jesus shall not be taken away.  Heaven and earth shall pass, but not God’s word.  Man shall not live by bread alone.  Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but Lord shall destroy both it and them, 1 Cor 6:13.  Martha and Mary could have both heard his word and then served.

Now, Jesus did speak to Martha and she heard his word. This was a stern rebuke, but Martha got it.  Jesus loved her and he loves you, Jn 11:5.  Look at the result in Jn 12:1-3.  It’s possible to serve without all this distraction.

Mary anointed Jesus.  She could do this without restraint or complaint because Martha served without being cumbered, careful, and troubled..  By doing her part, serving, Martha helped Mary do her part.  Serving can be a good part if it’s done in the right spirit, Acts 6:1-7, like the men serving tables.

We can learn a great deal about serving from this little episode in the life of Martha and Mary.