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Now, as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
The other day, my Bible reading plan led me to the familiar story of Mary and Martha.
In a nutshell, Martha invites Jesus into her home. He accepts, and while he’s there, He begins to teach. Martha is focused on serving Him and the other guests while Mary sits before Him. You see what transpires in the passage above.
Like Mary, I enjoy taking the time to sit at Jesus’s feet and have Him teach me from His Word. I make it a point to carve out quiet time each morning to read my Bible, pray, and seek Him and His purposes for my day. The older I get, the more I see the absolute necessity for this time alone with Him.
But, like Martha, I also want to serve the Lord. I want to use my gifts for His glory. I want to please Him.
I want to mention before I go on, Mary and Martha both sought to do a good thing. But Martha was missing the most important thing.
Sometimes, like Martha, I go about serving the Savior, working hard, while neglecting the time spent sitting before Him. It’s easy to do. In fact, the devil does all he can to disrupt my time at His feet.
But let’s not forget something significant as we reflect on this story in Martha’s home. Jesus, the Son of God, is there.
Jesus…
the Redeemer,
the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,
the Alpha and the Omega,
the Healer,
the Giver of Life,
the Lion and the Lamb,
the Lover of my soul,
the Good Shepherd.
I could go on and on!
When I consider this, I want to go to Martha and say, “Stop what you’re doing! Do you know who is here??? He’s come to Your house!”
Do I live out my days like Martha? Serving the Lord and missing Him at the same time???
If you’ve made Christ your Lord and King, you may have fallen into the trap of serving over sitting.
Where are you today? Serving Jesus, but not sitting before Him?
I want to suggest some indicators (pointed out in this passage) that reveal we’ve forgotten Who is in our house.
When we serve Jesus without sitting before Jesus:
- We are often distracted with much serving. I’ve been there. I have been in a place where my service to God took precedence over my time alone with Him. When I am distracted with much serving, I’m missing the kingdom work Jesus prepared for me long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)
- Distracted serving is work we do with our eyes off of Jesus.
- Distracted serving is often work that exhausts us because we have not been empowered by God’s Spirit to do it.
- Distracted serving is often self-motivated and self-exalting.
- We are protective of our work and easily offended. Martha was disgruntled that Mary did not place high importance on Martha’s plan to serve that day. Instead, Mary (from Martha’s perspective) was perhaps being lazy and insensitive. I always know when my service to the Lord comes from my wrong motives by my response when it’s not noticed or celebrated.
- We harbor and often exhibit sinful behaviors instead of peace and joy. Martha was anxious and troubled. When we seek to do a work for God without sitting before Him, the usual response is anxiety and trouble. This type of work is often followed by burnout for many in full-time ministry.
- We offer prayers that are self-seeking and neglect Christ’s kingdom purposes. Do you think Jesus came to Martha’s home to scrutinize the effectiveness of Martha’s ability to execute a perfect meal or gathering? Jesus came in because He had something to give. He sat and began to teach. But Martha’s request was, “Hey, I feel like all eyes are on me here, and my sister is not helping.” How foolish does her request of Jesus seem? Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.
I cringe for her. Think of the requests she COULD have made!
But sometimes, I am Martha.
Martha did not fully understand Who it was that came, or she would have done like Mary and fell on her knees before Him.
Look at Jesus’s response to Martha’s request.
Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.
Jesus points out Martha’s condition.
You are anxious and troubled about many things.
Martha is trouble about MANY things.
But Jesus tells her ONE thing is necessary.
One thing is necessary. The original text is χρεία (chreia), which means requirement. Needed.
What is necessary? What is needed?
It’s what Mary chose – to sit before Him.
If I want to serve Jesus, I must first sit before Him.
An indicator that I have been before the Lord and am acting in submission to Him is the singleminded focus to please and obey Him. I exhibit peace and simplicity because it is the power of His Spirit in me that accomplishes His work through me. The results of that service are in His hands. (Phil. 2:13)
Friend, are you Mary or Martha?
Are you disgruntled in ministry?
Are you feeling overlooked?
Are you tired and burned out?
Are you dissatisfied with the opportunities before you, feeling your talents are being neglected?
Maybe it’s time to sit.
Let us not foolishly spin our wheels to impress Jesus or appease our conscience by serving without sitting. Instead of protecting “your ministry,” protect your time alone with Jesus. There at His feet, you will find peace and purpose. And, my friend, when you serve from your knees, you will no doubt change the world.
