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 and upset over 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.”
Martha is a woman that has goals and a to-do list. She’s the perfect hostess! She aims to set out a beautiful table spread with the finest of what she has to offer her guests. I’m sure prior to Jesus’ arrival, Mary and Martha were both cleaning and scrubbing their home spotless. It’s likely that the finest of linens and serving ware were also prepared for their meal, as the best meats and foods were cooked and set in the kitchen. We’ve all been there, Girlfriend ~~ the desire to make out guests feel welcomed and appreciated, we go out of our way to do it up just right. This is Martha’s passion. To hostess and serve with the utmost best that she has to offer.
Mary, on the other hand, is a woman who appears to be of the tender hearted type. She is quick to get settled in with her Guest Of Honor, and makes it her priority to remain engaged with Him. She is compelled to remain motionless at His feet while He speaks and teaches. Mary’s passion was her desire to learn as much as possible so that she could serve by sharing with others.
Both women serve through their passionate ways. Both women serve The Lord.
What we tend to do with this passage is justify not serving as Martha served. Jesus rebukes Martha for her attempt to compare herself and her work to her sister and her supposed lack of work. Almost as if Jesus were correcting Martha for comparing herself to her sister. HMMMM!
When we compare what we esteem to be our “accomplishments” to the work of others, God is quick to reveal that our work is vain and temporal; only that which is done for the Kingdom of God shall remain.
Jesus doesn’t tell Martha that she’s “wrong,” rather He lovingly corrects her “misdirected passion.”
Ever have Jesus stop you in your tracks, Girlfriend? I have ~~ more than I choose to admit.
Let’s commit to raise up our passions ~~ they are God-breathed qualities given to us to enjoy life and reach out to others ~~ to The One Who gave them to us ~~ that we might allow Him to direct their use and purpose.
Quite honestly, I wished I had a bit more of Martha “Stewart” in me, too ~~ but God didn’t design me that way.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson
T2T Visionary
Titus Two 