Luke 10:38-42 "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me. But The Lord said to her, My dear Martha, you are worried about all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her."Today I want to shine a light on Mary and Martha, two women who followed Christ, and wanted to serve Him in every way. I can relate to both of these women. Can't you? As one has a gift for hospitality, the other wants to sit at Jesus' feet and just learn. Although Martha cannot relate to what Mary is doing at this time, I find her heart willing to be a servant. Martha is looking at the details of this day, wanting everything to be perfect for her friend and Lord. She is moving about, and has her mind focused on everything that needs to be done. While we have Mary, who is not so worried and knows everything will be done in it's time, but she is focused on what Jesus is teaching at the moment.
As hospitality is a gift, it is treasured, and not everyone has this gift. Martha is in a take charge kind of girl. She knows what has to be done, and does it. Can't you just see her in the kitchen mad as all get out? She is probably there bustling about, and getting angrier by the minute as Mary is just sitting. I am sure she is trying to get Mary's attention, and even asked Jesus to tell her to come and help out, but this is what really makes my heart stir. He tells her, "There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her." Wow, can you see the look on Martha's face now? For me, this would be a humbling moment. In this instant, Mary was right where she needed to be.She wasn't just sitting in the bedroom reading a magazine and doing her nails while her sister was working. She was at the feet of Jesus. What a beautiful place to be, and what a gift for Mary at this time. It doesn't tell us what Jesus was teaching or speaking on, but it was something Mary needed to hear at the time. She was exactly where she was to be. It doesn't say that Martha now sits down to listen, or if she is finishing up the details. But for me, I think both of ladies were right where the Lord wanted them at the time.
We can look in John 12:1-11 and see where Mary anoints the feet of Jesus before His death. (verse 2-3) "A dinner was prepared in Jesus' honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus' feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance." As Martha was sharing her gifts of hospitality, Mary was sharing her gift of mercy. Each sharing, each serving with the gifts given to make them unique, and each was a blessing to Jesus.
Isn't that like us though, we get caught up in all the details that we forget to take a moment and enjoy what is right in front of us. We get so busy with what we know needs to be done, that we think we are the only ones who can do it right, and find others slacking when they are not keeping up. As Martha has gifts for hospitality and serving, she expects Mary to be right there with her, but Mary has other gifts to share, and at the moment sitting at the feet of Jesus is where her heart had brought her.
I don't think either of these women were wrong at all. They were both seeking to serve, but doing so in other ways. I think as women we can all relate to both of these women. As women we have busy lives, and we just simply at times forget to see a simple blessing in all the hustle and bustle.
Romans 12:13 "When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always eager to practice hospitality."
Proverbs 18:15 "Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge."
We can see here, two verses about hospitality and learning. Both are equally important. Just as both of these ladies were blessings to Jesus. They walked with Him, talked with Him, and shared their lives together as friends. I can learn here instead of focusing on what another is or isn't doing, I need to focus on me and where the Lord is needing me to be at the moment. It may not be where another is needed. It is my walk with Jesus that I need to stay focused on, not calling out another and stating where they need to be. We can do this can't we? If we are honest we know that if we are serving, we can sometimes wonder where the others are at our side. In reality, maybe they too are serving in another area, using gifts other than ours, but still working together to bring glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
