And Jesus.
He was there--and Mary knew it. Martha of course knew also, she was busy preparing His meal, was she not? I mean, it was all for Him anyway and why should she be the only one making food and setting tables? An honorable guest arrives at a moments notice with a group of hungry men in tow and she is stuck with the brunt work while her sibling sits there at His feet.
At His feet.
One Bible commentary said "Martha honored Christ as a Guest, but Mary honored him as a Teacher" as shown in the posture she took (at his feet).
Martha took Him into her home. Mary made herself at home with Him.
Martha was busy with her tasks while Jesus was near and wanting to speak life-giving words. She didn't have time. Mary paused and listened to her Lord.
Martha, while well-meaning, was distracted with prep work to serve her Lord. Mary allowed herself to be interrupted--to pause and sit, to learn of Him who had finally come. Finally. The long awaited Messiah was now here and she could sit and be with Him. She recognized Who was in her midst. Whatever else needed doing could wait a moment--HE had come.
But hold on! Martha was supposed to be serving Jesus and who else was going to feed that full house? "Jesus, make my sister help me! Can't you see I'm working my tail off over here?" But Jesus pitied her. "Oh Martha, Martha..."
Our commentary has this to say:
And Mary's reward? "and it will not be taken away from her" (vs. 42, emphasis added).
My challenge to you mamas is this--allow God to interrupt your day. Sit at his feet and learn from our Good Teacher. Be fed by the Bread of Life so that you can turn and feed your family with His goodness. We are filled to feed others and our families (and beyond) are hungry.
Choose that which is needed.
Jesus.
He has come.
Martha, while well-meaning, was distracted with prep work to serve her Lord. Mary allowed herself to be interrupted--to pause and sit, to learn of Him who had finally come. Finally. The long awaited Messiah was now here and she could sit and be with Him. She recognized Who was in her midst. Whatever else needed doing could wait a moment--HE had come.
But hold on! Martha was supposed to be serving Jesus and who else was going to feed that full house? "Jesus, make my sister help me! Can't you see I'm working my tail off over here?" But Jesus pitied her. "Oh Martha, Martha..."
Our commentary has this to say:
Our Lord's rebuke is not aimed at hospitality, nor at a life full of energy and business. It is intended to reprove that fussy fretfulness which attempts many unneeded things, and ends in worry and fault-finding.If anything is needed, Jesus is needed. Martha was preparing a meal where the guests would go hungry again. Jesus Himself is the meal--our Bread of Life.
And Mary's reward? "and it will not be taken away from her" (vs. 42, emphasis added).
My challenge to you mamas is this--allow God to interrupt your day. Sit at his feet and learn from our Good Teacher. Be fed by the Bread of Life so that you can turn and feed your family with His goodness. We are filled to feed others and our families (and beyond) are hungry.
Choose that which is needed.
Jesus.
He has come.
