March, 2007
Anna must have gotten hold of that list of questions (that I mentioned last month) because last night she asked me one of them. “If you could invite anyone to dinner (except Jesus and Dad) who would you invite?”
I wasn’t prepared for such a question. I was expecting one on algebra. Thinking a bit, I finally responded.
“Martha.”
“Why?” she asked.
Why. Well, probably because she’s been on my mind so much lately. And maybe because I see, oh, let’s just say, a few similarities. I would want to know if it bothered her that her name has become synonymous with an un-Christlike character while her sister, Mary, gets all of the accolades due the faithful. I’d want to know if she were jealous of Mary because Mary got the “Satisfactory” grade in citizenship while Martha was stuck with “Needs Improvement”.
Frankly, I think Martha’s gotten a bum rap. First off, my understanding of the ancient Near-Eastern cultures is that hospitality was a priority. When a stranger needed a bed, one was supposed to invite them in and feed them as well. The New Testament is replete with references to this. Luke says it was Martha (not Mary) who opened their house to Jesus. And Martha fed the crowds. To not provide food (or a foot-washing or a bed) would have been an insult. It was because Martha opened her home to Jesus that He was even there. It was because Martha did the work that the rest could sit comfortably and enjoy Jesus’ presence and teaching. Had she not fed them, they would have had to leave early to get dinner.
Maybe if Mary had gotten off her duff and helped, perhaps they both would have been able to spend time with Jesus. Every mother knows that in order to have your children grow (physically, socially, intellectually, or spiritually) it often involves giving up the same for yourself. My interpretation is that Mary was selfish and maybe a little lazy as well. I realize a mom needs to be sure her own well is full first or she’ll be running on empty, but I know a lot of women who run on empty. If they could hire help or if their husbands or kids could step up to the plate, it seems those moms could keep their wells a little more full.
It seems to me the problem is not so much with Martha’s doing but rather with her attitude about doing. She’s fed up and upset with Mary’s couch potato status and allowed a bit of bitterness in. And she’s worrying. And then she whined. That’s what I can’t stand. If you’re going to be a martyr, fine, but don’t wear it on your sleeve and whine about it.
Unfortunately, there’s a small problem with my interpretation of the situation. Jesus just had to speak up. If He hadn’t told Martha that Mary desired the better thing, my interpretation would stand. (And a lot more work would be getting done around the world.) But He had to go and make it clear that Mary was the one with her priorities straight and so now we task-oriented types are left to deal with it.
Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there, because Martha and Mary are mentioned again in the book of John. Mary previously was lauded for sitting at Jesus’ feet, but here it says Jesus loved them both. Mary and Martha. Relationship-oriented and task-oriented. He loved them both. And that means He loves me.
And what I like in this story of their brother’s death is that Martha is the one who flies to Jesus first. While Mary is still blubbering at home, Martha runs out to meet the only Source of Hope. And there she states her rock-solid belief that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Granted, Mary also hurries out later, but this tells me that Martha knows. Her practical side doesn’t disappear – she’s out of air-freshener and knows the tomb will stink – but SHE KNOWS!
The next time we see the sisters, they are back at their normal status quo again. Mary is at Jesus’ feet, this time anointing them with expensive perfume while Martha is again making it possible by doing the serving. But this time I know she knows. She knows she is giving a gift to Mary even as Mary is giving her gift to the Lord. And she’s not whining about it.
Martha gives me hope because, in spite of her natural tendency to get caught up in the daily tasks of life, she still knew Jesus, deep in her heart, and she did her best to help others hear Him for themselves. And she helps me remember that though He may at times rebuke me, Jesus still loves me.
Our pastor says he likes to think that after the resurrection the reason Mary is not mentioned is because she’s up in
Like a rock,
The Submissive Despot
Amy Louise
Amy Shane
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