The Account of Jesus, Mary and Martha's Time Together: A Lesson of Mistaking Activity for Spirituality

Luke 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him [Jesus] into her house.

Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

Luke 10:40 But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

The account is told about a time when Jesus was passing through a village in Bethany. We know that Jesus did not own a house of His own because the Bible says, He had nowhere to lay his head. [Mat 8:20] The example Jesus set for us as written in 1Timothy 6:8 says, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" Much of the personal care of Jesus came from friends as He stopped for sustenance.

Jesus traveled with his disciples. This was probably true on this occasion when Jesus stopped to be entertained by His friends Mary and Martha. Although He deserved the recognition of the multitudes, Jesus chose the humble, more private opportunity of a route off the main thoroughfare to be with His close friends.

Mary and Martha were among Jesus' closest friends of whom He loved dearly. [John 11:5] There is no doubt He stopped there often.

We find Mary who seemed to join the disciples immediately sitting at Jesus' feet- possibly something she had done so many times before. It is as if this was a natural occurrence whenever Jesus stopped by. How special it is to read that Mary heard His word. Without spiritual ears, no one hears the Lord. [Deu 29:4] Mary was not only able to hear and probably relished each opportunity to hear Jesus preach the word of truth. She was a child of God's.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus is a sign of humility, respect, and giving close attention to every word that fell from His lips. Mary is not moving about but sitting still, listening. Maybe Mary wonders how long will this opportunity be available? Mary is not taking the chance of missing out on the personal teaching that Jesus has chosen to grace her home with.

Mary's sister Martha was busy preparing food. The Bible says she was encumbered about with much serving. The word encumbered is defined as a burden or heavy load. Although it was not wrong to prepare food for the guests in her home, Martha seems to have gone overboard. Christ deserves our best. The problem arises when Martha adds to her own burden by excess work. Her heart was right to want to please the Lord, but Christ even tells us in Matthew 11:3 that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Many say that Christ will not give us more than we can handle.

Martha, in her zeal appeals to Christ to commend her for her great service and condemn her sister Mary for not being as busy as she was. Martha didn't expect a rebuke. She was basically telling Christ how she thought things should be according to her perspective.

The response from Jesus was basically, why so much serving when less will do the job? Martha was actually cumbered or distracted from what was really important by going overboard. In her mind, the grandiose entertainment was what Christ deserved. We are warned not to be distracted in life by the cares of this world. Martha's service was a distraction because of the effort she chose to put into it and the neglect it caused for paying attention to what Jesus was teaching. To serve cumbersomely, is sin and folly.

When proper limits are not placed on Christian service, it will always bring strife and contention, destroying relationships. In proclaiming your own goodness, you are judging another by what you perceive as another person's lack of love, devotion, and spirituality. This inordinate behavior then comes across as a condemnation of true spiritual practices of those who exercise a deeper religious devotion. Activity is mistaken as a sign of spirituality.

When Martha tries to get Jesus on her side, asking Him to tell Mary to come help her, she is looking for a pat on the back. Martha's desire was to have Mary and Jesus Himself care as much as she did herself. She had an elevated view of herself and wanted recognition for what she was doing. Her spirit said, they do not care enough.

Unexpectedly, Jesus checks her for her condescending attitude. We are promised in Hebrews 112:6 that when we are chastened of the Lord, it is a sign of His great love for us proving that Martha was also a child of God's.

Jesus says Martha's name twice to emphasize His dissatisfaction with her request. Jesus tells us to cast our cares upon Him, not to project and justify them as a right behavior for us and for others to copy. The very suggestion of doing more than we can handle is a denial of Christ's word.

Jesus contrasts Martha's 'many' cares and troubles with the 'one' thing that is needful. How much better off Martha would have been if she had put forth the same effort toward learning at the feet of Jesus as she did in trying to serve Him. She would have also recognized Mary's attribute instead of putting her down for her devotion.

The one who proclaims how busy they are in service for the Lord should take to heart the response that Christ gave to Martha.

In the last days will you wish you did more, or that you learned more about Jesus and His truth? Martha wanted the spotlight but God does not share His glory with any man. We don't fit the Lord into our agenda asking Him to bless our efforts, but rather we are shaped by the very words of Christ as He teaches us in the scriptures.

Put aside what I refer to as your "busy badge" and find real contentment. Job 23:12 says, "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

What Mary gained that day will continue on into Eternity. Martha's service was temporary and will remain here on earth. Luke 21:33 "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."