Jesus, on his final trip to Jerusalem, is invited into the home of Martha, sister of Mary. Martha busies herself with the preparations for a meal while Mary sits are Jesus’ feet and listens to him. Martha becomes indignant at Mary’s unwillingness to help. She implores Jesus to tell Mary to help with the work. Jesus’ response was,

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”

The truth is, I am a Martha. I struggle with sitting and “doing” nothing. It is a challenge for me to meditate without movement. I like to think while I work. I think and process in conversation with others. I would rather take on a project, play a game, do something, rather than read. The one exception is when a novel captures my imagination and takes me into another world that absorbs my thoughts.

So naturally a quiet devotional time is an act of discipline. Journaling is something that requires great effort. I empathize with Martha. There was work that needed to be done. If no meal was prepared, would everyone be so gracious about having only a diet of teaching? Is there not a balance between activity and inactivity, between responsibility and devotion? Is it acceptable to ask others to assume the responsibility for work that is yours, so that you can have more time to reflect in devotion with God? At what point do the needs of others carry priority over personal growth and worship? Cannot work be a form of worship in itself? Does personal devotion necessitate the neglecting of other responsibilities?

Martha was frustrated with Mary and rightly so. Yet Jesus heightens the tension by siding with Mary; Lazy Mary. So what is the point? Is this just a personality trait issue? Some are more tasks orientated than others? That has to play some part in this frustration.

The part I don’t want to acknowledge is that it shouldn’t matter to me. Why am I bothered by Mary’s actions and Jesus’ response? It leaves me no recourse when doing things for others. Service is simply about serving. It isn’t about fairness. It isn’t about return. It is about emptying oneself so there are fewer things that distract. It eliminates the gods in a person’s life and allows you to love someone else to the point of permitting them to be filled up while you are being emptied.

There are times when a person needs to be replenished and a time when people need to be emptied. Mary was thirsty for inner renewal. She was taken up by the majesty of her guest. She wanted to hear from him, to learn from him, to worship him. Martha on the other hand wanted to honour him by doing something for him. But she didn’t want to do it for Mary. It was one thing to do it for an honoured and deserving guest. It was quite another thing to do it for a lazy sister. And there it lies in all its ugliness. Martha desired to give, but she longed to possess. She wanted the recognition of having done something that was worthy of praise. She wanted Jesus’ acknowledgement and thanks for all that she did for him. It was something that was due her. She didn’t need a sister’s thanks. Her motive for serving was to receive in return.

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and offered nothing. She simply took in. Her actions were that of a child. Yet she was getting all of Jesus’ attention. Martha was the one who had invited Jesus in. Jesus was her guest, not Mary’s. But little Mary steps up and ignores Martha’s needs and monopolizes Jesus. Martha is doing all the work and receiving no attention. Mary is doing none of the work and receiving all of the attention.

Jesus’ words were simply, “Mary wants me, not my praise or acknowledgement. It is a better thing and I am going to make sure she receives that.”

Do I want Jesus more than His praise?

David Collins