“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed— or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:41-42

 

          When I think of Martha, this is the passage that comes to mind. In the grand scheme of things this incident might seem insignificant. Jesus was known as a great teacher who performed miracles and Luke records for us a quiet afternoon with friends. Martha is seen as a complainer and Mary a worshipper.

        Poor Martha, she has really gotten a bad reputation from this interchange. I believe it is undeserved. Earlier, in Luke 7:44 Jesus admonished the Pharisee for not providing water to wash His feet, a common practice when entering a home.  I’ve heard it said that we are to be like Mary. I don’t ever recall anyone saying to be like Martha.  As hostess she was making sure her guests’ needs were met. I believe she meant to sit down and listen to Jesus as well. He set the example Himself seeing to physical needs before the spiritual. It was her attitude, not her deeds that needed to come into check.

          There is real work to be done in this world in order to reach people for Christ so they can worship at His feet. Seems to me we need to be both Martha and Mary combined. We need to go about being the hands and feet of Christ: admiring Him and drawing others into that admiration even if it means meeting their physical needs first. Water before worship. You can’t sing with a dry throat.