Our lesson takes us to that very familiar Bible recording of the “Sisters Mary and Martha” in Luke 10:38-42. The first verse records Martha as very hospitable: “icertain woman named Martha received him into her house.” The town is Bethany; the home is Lazarus, Martha and Mary’s, one of those homes where Jesus was always welcome. It brought to mind, “Would my home in Berea, Ohio, have been listed as a home where Jesus felt wanted, one of those ‘along-the-way’ stops?” Martha did not seem to hesitate; it gives me the idea that she was waiting at the door.
Now Mary had a different mindset. She was also glad to see Jesus, but her thought was to sit at the feet of Jesus right up close, so she didn’t miss a Word that He spoke. Luke 10:39 (KJV) tell us, “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his Word.” So far, everything is ok, right? Yes, until Martha’s attitude got the best of her. It would seem to me that she stopped Jesus in the middle of His conversation to voice a complaint! “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” Did she just tell Jesus, God’s Son, what to do? “Bid her therefore that she help me?” Really?!
Hey, before I judge Martha….how many times have I been guilty of the same sinful attitude? It wasn’t that Jesus did not see the willingness on Martha’s part to prepare a meal for Him. It was that Mary chose the better part, sitting at the feet of Jesus and growing to know Him better.
Oh dear Jesus, I want to serve You as well, but please help me to want to sit at Your feet more. I truly want a balance in my life between listening and meditating on Your Words and sharing and being a doer of Your Words.
Our churches do need workers, people who see a need, step up and complete a task, but BALANCE is critical!!! Pray to keep growing in Christ, and pray for your ministry. Your growth in Christ will prepare you for the work He has called you to do.
Serving and sitting at the Master’s Feet,
Donna
