Mary vs. Martha
In the gospel accounts, there are hardly two women who seem to have a closer relationship with Jesus than Mary and Martha. These two women were from the small town of Bethany which lay about two miles east of Jerusalem. In Bethany (meaning “house of dates”) Jesus often found a place of peace beyond the persecution and a warm welcome of friendship away from the foes of the Pharisees (Matthew 21:17; John 12:1-3).
Jesus was most likely in Bethany when He made the visit Luke records in Luke 10:38-42. Within this text, the character of Mary is contrasted with her sister Martha and the message is valuable for all readers today.
“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.’”
By comparing these two women, we can learn about…
...the various personalities of women.
Every church needs women serving in various roles. Not everyone’s a Mary, and not everyone’s a Martha. Some are deeper students, more thoughtful thinkers and more involved in the learning and teaching process. On the other hand, some cannot sit still long enough to engage in such intense study. They are better in action, being put to work, doing the basic chores necessary and involved in constant action. Neither one is wrong or better than the other, they are just serving in their own respective roles.
…the danger of feeling our job is more important than another’s.
Jesus never said a word about the differences in Mary and Martha until He was pressed to do so. Martha, while slaving away in the kitchen, felt as though Mary needed to be more involved in serving the guests. Yet, Jesus disagreed with her opinion. It is easy to think your role is more important than somebody else’s. In the church, a liberal giver of thousands of dollars is no more important than an exhorter of just one soul. A teacher of hundreds is no more important than the one who shows mercy to an erring brother in Christ. Likewise, we should be careful to think our role more important than someone else’s because Jesus may think otherwise.
...the reality of mistaken kindness.
In his commentary, William Barclay points out that Martha showed the wrong type of kindness. Jesus was on His way to the cross. He needed peace, companionship and a listening ear. Mary offered these gifts to Jesus. Though Martha was trying to show kindness, the loud clanging of pots and pans around a big meal was not what Jesus needed at the moment. The best type of kindness is that which meets the needs of others in their way, not necessarily in our own way.
...the danger of distraction.
Jesus tells Martha that “Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (10:42). He does so with a gentleness characteristic of the Savior, yet without the compromise of a politician. Plainly, there are some things that are less important, at the moment, than others. What distracts you from sitting at the feet of Jesus? What keeps you from worshipping Him or going to Bible study? Is it ball games, company in town, television shows, extra work around the house, or vacation time? Were these distractions justifiable excuses with Jesus, the ultimate Judge?
Though we may be of different personalities and mindsets, it is important that we learn from others. A little bit of Mary in Martha may have helped her. Sometimes it works the other way around too!
July 2007