Welcoming Jesus

Part six of nine

Luke 10:38–42

What was Martha’s problem with Mary?

Jesus gladly accepted hospitality from Mary and Martha – or perhaps we should say, from Martha. We have no way of knowing whether her sister Mary sometimes took her turn in the kitchen.

We know that on one particular occasion Martha is distracted with the task of preparing dinner for Jesus and His disciples. In fact she is irritated, not that 13 men are joining their small family for a meal, but that her sister Mary is not helping with preparations. Instead of appealing to her sister, she tries to win Jesus’ sympathy. Mary seems to be hanging on His every word – perhaps Jesus could drop a hint that she should be helping in the kitchen.

It doesn’t work. Jesus defends Mary’s choice to sit at His feet and gently chides Martha for being all hot and bothered about the situation. Luke tells this story to help his readers understand the priorities of Jesus.

But what does the text mean?

Martha, Martha

Some critique Martha for her intemperate mood (Calm down, Martha, you could learn a thing or two from your quiet, peaceful sister.)

Some are sure that Martha’s problem was busyness (Don’t you know, Martha, that a contemplative life pleases God more than a lot of activity?)

Some think her problem was her priorities (It’s fine to meet physical needs, but spiritual disciplines are much more important.)

Some think the problem was Martha’s pride (Martha, the magnificent spread you are putting together might feed your ego, but Jesus delights more in Mary’s humble position.)

Some think her problem was gender roles (Just because you feel at home in the kitchen, Martha, doesn’t mean your sister shouldn’t get a theological education.)

We know that Mary was affirmed and Martha was critiqued, but we’re just not quite sure what the problem was.

I remember a time I led a Bible conference. We were studying a series of texts in Luke. It was close to noon and all participants, including the teacher, were keenly anticipating the wonderful fellowship meal we were about to enjoy. Delicious smells wafted from the church kitchen into the sanctuary where we were wrapping up the morning, trying to understand this text about Martha and Mary.

Wrong assumption

It seemed unthinkable that this text was critiquing those in the kitchen and favouring those studying the Bible in the sanctuary. And then it hit me.

Martha’s problem was her assumption that Mary should have made the same choice she had made. Mary had chosen theological education (that’s what sitting at a teacher’s feet meant). Martha had chosen to prepare the meal. Both were good choices. Both still are good choices.

The challenge is to discern which choice is better in a particular time and place, given our unique needs, gifts, calling. I suspect that if Mary had been the complainer, saying, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister is preparing a meal rather than sitting here at your feet?” Jesus might have defended Martha’s generous service and gently chided Mary for not recognizing that her sister had chosen well. I shared my thoughts with the group just as the clock struck noon.

We filed eagerly into the gym where tastefully decorated tables were loaded with the dishes we had been smelling. I overheard numerous seminar participants tell the cooks they had wonderfully served the Lord by preparing the meal. And I heard some of the cooks respond that next time they would be happy to study the Word and perhaps others could volunteer to cook. I sensed we had all learned something from Mary and Martha.

A story for “loving God”

One day while conversing with a Pharisaic lawyer, Jesus asked, “What is written in the Law?” The Pharisee answered correctly: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and Love your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27). In order to help the man understand “love your neighbour” Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan. But which story can help us understand what “love the Lord your God” means?

I think Luke would respond, “How about the Mary–Martha story? That’s why I put it next in my Gospel.”

Mary was loving God; Martha was too. That day Mary might have said, “Lord I’m serving you with my heart, as I sit here at Your feet.” Perhaps she could have said, “I’m serving you with my mind, learning from the Master.” If Martha had had the grace to prepare the meal without getting frustrated and criticizing her sister’s choices, she could have chimed in, “I’m serving God with all my strength.” Perhaps she could even have said, “I’m pouring heart and soul into this meal.”

If we have the grace to allow each other to make different choices in different circumstances, if we can learn to value all the ways people love the Lord their God, we too can follow the greatest of all the commandments, both in the kitchen and at the Master’s feet.

For reflection:

• Which sister do I identify with most?
• What “different choices” do I need to make or accept this week?

Tim Geddert teaches New Testament at MB Biblical Seminary, Fresno, Cal.

The series continues in the next issue. The series began in the Sept. 24 issue.