Martha, Martha


 


MARTHA, MARTHA

 

“Oh, no!!!... company is here! 

I have to make sure everything is clean… Is there enough drink and sufficient food for everyone!... Is everyone comfortable?... I wonder if it is too hot in here?... Oh!!! Did I put toilet paper in the bathroom?!?

 

Luke 10 describes such a scenario.  Martha became “cumbered about MUCH serving” because “THE MASTER IS HERE” and things MUST be done! 

[“cumbered about” meaning: “to drag all around, distracted with care and overly concerned on the unimportant.”]

 

SERVING IS GREAT!

…“Cumbered about MUCH serving” …not so much.

 

The set-up in Verse 38 is very important: “…Martha RECEIVED him into her house.”  The word translated here “RECEIVED” usually describes welcoming individuals into one’s home or community, often emphasizing hospitality.

It literally means, “to admit UNDER one's roof… to allow access, receive, or accept UNDER"

 

“…And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.” (Lk10:39)

 

Note the difference in posture between the two sisters.

 

FIRST, 

we have Martha RECEIVING Jesus and guests UNDER HER… IN HER HOUSE!

…Maybe not blatantly, nor intentionally… but certainly in mindset.

 

She then tries to manage Jesus, saying,“Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?

Oooph… quite an indictment upon someone who has done more to convey compassion than anyone she has met…… “DON’T YOU CARE…?”

 

 

And wait… doesn't “LORD” mean “the only one with right of decision”?

…then she DIRECTS HIM, “Tell her to help me.”?

 

Unfazed by her attitude, Jesus lovingly responds, “Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things…” (Lk10:41)

Directly translated: “Martha, your mind is so agitated, that you are stricken with panic, stirring you into a disturbing, tumultuous uproar.”

“BUT…” (He continues)

“There is only one tiny thing that is necessary… not all this busy-ness keeping you wound up in this whirlwind…”

 

 

THEN YOU HAVE MARY… 

She also RECEIVED Jesus

… but positioned herself UNDER HIM!

…AT HIS FEET.

“…Mary has CHOSEN that good part

…and HER CHOICE shall not be taken away from her.” (Lk10:42)

 

 

…IT IS ALWAYS A CHOICE!

 

 

Out of all the things that could be done, Mary has selected for herself that one seemingly insignificant thing which is absolutely necessary:

…to sit at the feet of Jesus in complete surrender

 

 

ONE THING IS NEEDFUL!!!


 



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