Luke 10:39-42

Luke 10:39-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Sometimes we forget that in this story, Martha was serving Jesus by preparing for him. She was probably older than Mary and therefore had the primary responsibility of preparing for guests. She was looking after Jesus' needs by doing all the preparations that had to be made. She was not ignoring Jesus; she was focused on the situation at hand. Then why did Jesus say, Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed? Is Jesus wrong in reprimanding Martha for her complaining? Isn't a servant to the Lord worthy of respect? Yes, a servant is worthy of respect in every way, but Jesus reminded Martha that when the bridegroom is in the room, the people rejoice. Being in his physical presence is more important than any other activity to be performed. Therefore, Mary had chosen the better way.

Some people have used this scripture to put aside their daily responsibilities. The early church had trouble with people being idle or not working. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 10) Today's passage dealing with Mary and Martha does not say for us not to work, but it does infer that being in Jesus' presence is better than any other activity. After Jesus departed from this earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to abide within us. We are now always in his presence, for He is in us, even when we perform our temporal responsibilities. Yet the Lord still expects us to fellowship with him and to allow him to meet with us by setting aside time for him.

Martha was not wrong in fulfilling her domestic responsibilities, but Jesus wanted her to know that being with him is more important than any duty or activity. This is true in our lives: being with Jesus in our homes or at work, singing his songs, praising his name, and just talking to him is more profitable for our eternal souls than anything else we do. However, living in The Spirit is not closeting ourselves off from the world and shirking our duties in life, for God is now with us wherever we go. He is always at our call, even at our very mouths. Because of him, we can hear his voice, speak his words, do his actions at any time we so desire.

Paul worked to provide for his ministry. He said I am an example for you. His ministry set the Gentile world aflame with God's presence. We should do likewise. We should covet the presence of God at all times, but we should also put feet and effort to meeting the demands of our lives. We need to get up each morning and work, fulfill our daily responsibilities with fervor. We work for Jesus by being good citizens, workers, servants, and family members. Yes, we might find ourselves in the kitchen alone as Martha found herself, but we will not truly be alone, for the Holy Spirit abides in us, and we will be in his presence.