What the Mary and Martha Story Teaches Us
I love the Mary and Martha story! Who do you relate to more, Mary or Martha?
Let’s look at their story and how they set a good example for us.
Perhaps we can walk away from the Mary and Martha story challenged to be intentional about our time with God.
Read their story in Luke 10:38-42.
Mary And Martha Story
Jesus visits Martha and Mary: Let’s look at one conversation between Jesus and Martha and how it’s a source of encouragement and challenge for us all.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
The Bible tells us, in this Mary and Martha Story, that Jesus and His disciples were hanging out at the home of Mary and Martha.
Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, hanging on to His every word while Martha was busy being a good hostess.
She was probably doing all of the cleaning, cooking, and serving the men.
What Is The Story Of Martha In The Bible
Picture this: Martha is bustling about, working tirelessly on the household duties while her sister Mary sits, absorbed in Jesus’ words.
Martha’s frustration bubbles over, and she can’t help but interrupt Jesus, expressing her concern about being left to do all the work.
Now, we know Jesus would have valued her diligent spirit—she was definitely someone who showed love by doing things for others.
Cooking and cleaning are important, after all. But Jesus gently reminds her that she might be focusing on too much, saying, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41).
When Martha asks Jesus, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” it’s clear she feels quite alone in her responsibilities.
She even feels comfortable enough with Jesus to ask for his help with Mary.
We should note that Martha and Mary had a close bond with Jesus, which is why Martha felt okay asking for help.
And interestingly, the Bible shows us that Jesus had a number of women who were part of his followers too.
As Jesus traveled, preaching the good news, these women were right there with Him.
They included Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others who supported the ministry from their own means (Luke 8:1-3).
Coming back to Martha, you can imagine how she must have felt when Jesus responded.
With a house full to feed, including Jesus’ disciples and possibly other women who supported His ministry, Martha was understandably stretched thin—so much so that it made her anxious and distracted.
Her heart was surely full of so many emotions when she saw Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet, seemingly not helping. It’s easy to sympathize with Martha!
Yet, Jesus invites us to look beyond the surface and find the peace He offers in His presence.
What Can We Learn From Mary And Martha
Mary and Martha were two sisters with hearts full of love for Jesus.
When He visited them, they both wanted to honor Him, but they did so in different ways.
Martha, bless her heart, was bustling about, making sure everything was just right for their honored guest.
She wanted to serve Jesus with all she had, and that meant getting all the details perfect.
Then there’s Mary, who with a gentle spirit, sat close to Jesus, soaking in every word He spoke. Her way of honoring Him was to give Him her full attention, to learn and to be close to Him.
Mary’s choice shows the beauty of being fully present in the moment, especially in the presence of Jesus.
When Martha shared her worries with Jesus, hoping He’d ask Mary to help, Jesus responded with such kindness.
He understood Martha’s heart and her desire to serve, but He invited her to something even better.
Jesus gently reminded Martha that all the preparations, though good, were not as essential as taking the time to be with Him, just like Mary was doing.
From this heartfelt moment, we’re reminded of a few beautiful things:
- Love has many expressions: Martha showed her love through action, while Mary showed hers through attentive listening. Both were acts of love, just expressed differently.
- Being present is a precious gift: Mary’s choice to sit and listen reminds us that sometimes, the best way we can honor God and others is to be fully present with them.
- Peace over worry: Jesus’ response to Martha is a tender reminder that we can bring our worries to Him and that He desires for us to have peace and focus on what truly matters.
- Choose the better part: We’re encouraged to choose ‘the better part’ like Mary did. This doesn’t diminish what Martha was doing, but it highlights the importance of prioritizing our time with God.
This story, woven with grace and love, shows us the heart of Jesus and the tender way He guides us to balance our service with our worship, our work with our faith, and our duties with our devotion.
It’s a gentle nudge to slow down, to choose the better part, and to cherish our time with the Lord above all.
What Was Jesus’ Relationship With Mary And Martha
Jesus had a special and close relationship with Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus; they were dear friends to Him.
In the Bible, we see Him visiting their home in Bethany, a place where He found rest and companionship.
Mary and Martha welcomed Him into their home, indicating a level of trust and respect between them.
Martha showed her care by serving, while Mary expressed her devotion by sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen to His teaching.
This warm, reciprocal relationship highlights the human side of Jesus, showing His need for friendship and connection just like any of us.
It’s a beautiful picture of mutual affection and respect.
Mary Has Chosen The Good Part
In Martha’s home, Jesus shared some really important truths that mattered more than getting everything perfect for their visit.
He kindly showed Martha that she was too worried about all the work. A simple dinner would have been enough when Jesus was ready to feed their souls.
Jesus saw that Martha had a kind heart but he wished she would pay more attention to what He was saying. That’s what Mary was doing, and Jesus said that was the right choice.
This story reminds us: don’t get so caught up in chores that you forget about God.
It’s great to work hard, but not if it means you miss out on what God wants to teach you.
Let’s make sure we’re building up our faith when we hang out together, even if it means we stop what we’re doing for a bit to hear what God has to say.
What Did Jesus Teach Martha
Jesus taught Martha a lesson wrapped in kindness and care.
He gently reminded her that while serving others is good, taking the time to listen and be present with Him is even better.
It’s not always about the hustle of doing; sometimes, it’s about being still, cherishing the moment, and focusing on what lasts forever – our relationship with Him.
That’s the ‘good portion’ Jesus spoke of, and it’s the one thing we should hold dear.
Mary And Martha – Lessons For Us
The Mary and Martha story is truly a treasure trove of insights.
Isn’t it heartwarming that Jesus doesn’t scold Martha for her outburst?
Instead, He meets her with understanding and patience, showing us just how approachable He is.
He’s not the kind of God to turn away when we’re in a whirl of emotions.
He invites us to come as we are, sharing our whole hearts with Him.
In the same way, we’re called to remember what really matters. Some of us, like Martha, serve others tirelessly and with great love.
And that’s beautiful because God cherishes our acts of kindness.
But then there are those like Mary, soaking up every word of God, growing deep roots in their faith.
Let’s be intentional about our time with God, giving it the priority it deserves.
Both serving like Martha and listening like Mary have their place, but let’s always remember to hold our walk with God in the highest regard, choosing the ‘good portion’ as Mary did.
Think about ways to keep God at the forefront of your life today.
How might the example of Mary and Martha motivate you to deepen your spiritual journey?
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