Martha Got It Right

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!”   ~ Luke 10:40 NIV


Maybe it’s because apparently we both like to cook, but secretly whenever I hear this passage I want to stick up for Martha.  I mean, that was a lot of people in their house.  They were bound to get hungry some time.  And buffets for fifty don’t set themselves, even when Jesus is around. 

But lately I’ve realized why I really admire Martha.  Even in her frustration, she got it right.  Did you notice what she did not do when she became disappointed with her sister?  She didn’t spend the rest of the day in a snit, forcing everyone around her to guess why she’s in such a bad mood.  She didn’t suffer through the day and then call and complain to another friend about how no one ever appreciates her.  She didn’t pull Mary aside and throw a temper tantrum.  Sad to say, I’ve done all of the above.

Instead, she does what every mature Christian woman should do.  She takes her frustration to Jesus.  Remember, she could have stifled her feelings with that old Jesus-must-have-better-things-to-do-than-listen-to-me-whine excuse.  How many times have I said to myself, “Look, believers all over the world are dying for the faith.  How can I really expect Jesus to care that I feel slighted because my family didn’t faun all over my dessert?”  Instead, Martha has enough confidence and faith in her Lord to interrupt the Bible study.  She trusts Jesus won’t dismiss or embarrass her.  Whatever insult she feels at the time, her faith is strong enough to humble herself to bring the hurt to Jesus.

And as always, Jesus does not disappoint.  He stops the entire meeting to say the very words that Martha needs to heal her heart.  He doesn’t shame her for interrupting or make her feel small because her problem isn’t as big as a dying child or a crippling, lifelong disease.  Instead, he agrees with her.  Yes, she is worried and distracted about many things.  But he reminds her only one thing is needed now.  Focus on what’s most important, and the other worries will fall into perspective.  Even her seemingly tiny problem is enough for Jesus to care about. 

While most pastors and Bible teachers use this passage to remind us to be more like Mary, Martha is still my hero.  I’ll never be a Mary; I’m not sure I was created to be.  My temperament is too rigid, too driven.  But I can be a Martha who knows when to put down the schedule and the to-do list and run to Jesus.  

~ Denyse Blasdel