Are you a Martha or a Mary?



We often praise the good housewife who is diligent and hardworking. In Luke 10:42 Jesus praises the listener. Martha's practical, serving love is good but Mary's listening and following love is better.

A Loving Hostess
Jesus comes to Bethany and Martha welcomes Him. She seemed to own the house. Hospitality is strongly commended in Scripture. She loved the Lord and wanted to give Him the best. But it is hard work cooking for so many. There was Jesus and the twelve and Mary and Lazarus. That makes sixteen including herself. Perhaps there were others too. The soup is boiling over, the sauce is burning, the meat has to be cut and the sweet made. Panicking, she feels she cannot cope, and Mary just sits there enjoying herself. Jealous, frustrated and losing her temper, she even blames Christ: "Dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me" (Lk.10:40). I am sure many women can sympathise with Martha.

A Loving Disciple
Mary seemed to have been helping Martha before Christ came but then left her. She lost interest in everything else. She loved Jesus so much that she wanted to hear every word. It was a rare opportunity to be so close to Christ, to ask questions and listen to His replies. His word gives life. Do you, like a new born baby, "desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby" (lPet.2:2)?

A Loving Rebuke
"Martha, Martha, thou art carefill and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Lk.10:41-42). Worries are sinfull. She allowed herself to be troubled trying to make too good a spread. No doubt pride was there. Are you too busy for Christ? Your life is occupied doing good things for your family, your friends and your job. Remember, a little earth thrown on the fire will put it out. The music has to stop, the TV to be turned of, the frantic running around has to cease while you sit and listen. "Be still and know that I am God" (Ps.46:10). Stop the bakng, hoovering and dusting and read your Bible, meditate and pray. You can even be too busy in the Lord's work runing around to meetings, organising events and visiting the sick. Stop trying to run your life perfectly. Relax and enjoy God. Choose the good part which shall never be taken from you.


Any comments or questions please E-Mail me or Rev William Macleod the editor.

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