Reflecting on Luke 10:38-42“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42)
Martha was serving, Mary was listening and learning at Jesus’s feet.
Jesus says Mary has chosen what is better; is listening better than serving?
But Jesus does not challenge Martha for serving.
In fact Jesus’s whole message was about serving others.
In this way, Martha had also chosen well.
Notice what Jesus says: “you are worried and upset about many things.” (Luke 10:41)
It was not her choosing to serve that was the problem.
It was that her focus was not on Jesus, and serving for Jesus.
She had become distracted by others, in particular about Mary.
She had become self-focused and other focused…
‘What about me, what about her?’
And then she accused Jesus of not caring.
Each one of us finds ourselves in different places in life.
Some have it easy, some have it hard.
Some have little, and some have a lot.
Some are advantaged, while others are disadvantaged.
Some experience great tragedies, others seem to coast through life.
When our focus shifts away from Jesus, these things distract us.
We can become bitter and upset, we can become depressed and defeated.
I know, because I have experience this as well.
And my life has been easy and advantaged compared to many.
The Enemy loves to distract and defeat us by looking away from Jesus.
Adam and Eve quickly turned on each other when they felt their shame.
Ever since we have been othering others, comparing ourselves to them.
Its not that Jesus does not care about us, as Martha thought.
But Jesus works in and through us all uniquely, differently.
I am reminded by Jesus’s interaction with Peter:
“Jesus said to Peter, ‘Follow me!’ Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them… When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.'” (John 21:19-22)
Peter was focusing on this other disciple, and became distracted.
Jesus replied, ‘what is that to you, you must follow me!’
This is what I hear Jesus saying to Martha.
Love and serve me, says Jesus, for this is the one thing that is better.
God has invited me to love Him by loving and serving Jesus.
My life and my experiences are where He calls me to do this.
Your life and your experiences are where God in Jesus calls you to do this.
It is not for me to compare myself to others, or complain about my assignment.
It is not for me to blame or accuse others of not believing or following like me.
I can learn from them, I can disagree with them, but I must follow Jesus.
Even if no one else goes with me on that path, ‘still I must follow!’
Jesus has loved me, just as I am… what a huge comfort.
Jesus gently rebukes and convicts me when I get distracted and upset.
And Jesus lovingly calls me back to being a humble, loving servant.
Yes, we are called to serve like Martha.
But we are called to serve in the way of Mary, with out focus on Jesus.
To serve like Martha with a focus like Mary – this is the one thing needful!
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I am distracted and bothered by how other people believe and follow You. I am losing my focus by focusing on the problems with others, rather than on my own focus and faith. Make me a Martha servant with a Mary heart, loving and serving You wherever You call me to be, whatever You call me to do.