Luke 10:38-42
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Why Martha complained..
Who wouldn't? when you are left in the kitchen alone and need to prepare dinner for at least 16 people (Jesus and the 12 disciples, Mary and Martha and Lazarus), you don't have a gas stove, which means you need to blow the firewood, how many pans and pots do you need for 16 people? you need to set the table, prepare the chairs and everything related to the job.. and you are alone? who would not complain?
Why Mary did not help..
Mary sat on the feet of Jesus (this was the teacher-student position) and listened to him all the while. If so, Jesus could have mentioned to Mary that he was going to die. Mary thinks there is no other time to be with Jesus and so she spends every minute that she can to be with him. She did not want to waste any minute.. she wanted to be with Jesus because she knows that time is limited.. and then.. Martha finally lost her temper and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her. Jesus gently told her that everything is okay and that she is so worried about many things. I imagined it like Jesus is surprised how Martha overreacts. Martha was just being accommodating -- and there is nothing wrong about that. but dinner is not as important as listening to what Jesus has to say. I am not saying that not helping is okay.. we are called to help each other.. but there is a time for everything.. first things first.. in this story, we will learn that Mary knew what was more important.
Hands versus Hearts
Serving others is wonderful! but the reason why we serve is most important. Some workers become very busy of doing work for the Lord but forget to keep a healthy relationship with Jesus. A hand who does the right thing without the right heart is not right at all. Above all, we should focus on Jesus. We need to keep a sweet relationship with Him. When we serve others, we serve for God's glory. We sit at the feet of Jesus first before we stand and reach out to others.. most importantly, we need to have Martha's hand with Mary's heart.
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