MARTHA & MARY

At the last Bible class, Pastor Robin took up the passage from Luke 10:38-42 which narrates how Jesus and his disciples entered a certain village and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. She had a sister Mary who, as soon as Jesus came in and sat down, was drawn to sit at his feet and hung on every word that came from his lips. That’s what Jesus wanted also from Martha, to just be with him and receive what he came to give. But Martha’s mind was fully occupied with the business of serving. From the gospel account we see that she did not do this happily and freely, but was weighed down with the task to such an extent that she felt the need of someone to help her carry this burden and even accused her invited guest Jesus of not caring about her. She then proceeded to tell Jesus in what way he should help her to carry out the plans she had made for serving him. She asked him to tell Mary to leave her position at his feet and to join her in the preparations.
Jesus understood Martha’s problem immediately. He always understands us better than we understand ourselves. He saw that within herself she was worried and troubled about many things and told her so. He saw that she was also struggling to solve her problems in her own way. Many of us, instead of living our lives according to God’s plans for us, ask God to help us carry out the plans we have made. This is a sure pathway to stress! So Jesus told Martha that only one thing was required of her, to do what Mary was doing: sit with him and listen to his word. Sitting with Jesus and listening to his word in prayer has the power to transform us from people who are anxious, troubled, sick in mind and body, into people of peace, deep inner joy and good health, at the same time giving us the dynamism, energy and efficiency to do all that we are required to do.
Pastor Robin noted that in every organization there is need of people with Martha’s characteristics of caring and serving. But the Mary characteristic of prayerfulness is of prime importance. In every Martha type of person there should also be the Mary characteristic and vice versa. In the Church (body or group of believers), every person has a special God-given gift or talent for service. If we leave this gift dormant and unused, it will eventually die out. Using our special gifts increases and multiplies them. This is God’s plan for our individual growth and for the growth of the ministry JESUS has entrusted to his body the church: to deliver people from evil in HIS NAME, give them a new life of peace and joy and an assurance of eternal life in Heaven with him. Praise the Lord!