Beloved Martha, It's Okay To Rest!ናሙና

Jesus’ Priority

So how did Jesus respond to Martha’s demand for Him to tell Mary to get up and help Martha?

Luke 10:41-42, TPT records Jesus as responding, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by these many distractions? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won't take this privilege from her.”

Please read Jesus’ statements again. I’m amazed by His mastery of the situation and how He engaged Martha.

Martha’s words of interruption probably carried unexpected heat. I imagine an uncomfortable silence followed Martha’s words. Some in the room may have even been shocked by her words and tone. However, notice that Jesus did not retaliate in kind. Instead, He responded to Martha with love, understanding, and compassion.

1. In saying “Martha, my beloved Martha”, my paraphrase of Jesus’ first words is Martha, I love you! What a way to disarm and deflect Martha’s frustration. This tender endearment likely quenched her exasperation like a drink of water satisfies thirst on a hot day.

2. In acknowledging Martha as being upset and troubled, Jesus showed He saw her and understood what was going on with her. However, He questioned why she was so distracted. Spoiler alert: When Jesus asks a question, be ready for a teachable moment! In my imagination, Jesus looked at Martha as He had looked at the young, rich ruler in Mark 10:21. Looking at her and loving her, Jesus probably gave her the opportunity to reply. Notice how Martha, who before had erupted with words, now remained silent.

3. Jesus did respond to Martha’s request to have Mary get up and help her. With gentle correction, Jesus refused to do what Martha had asked because she had asked amiss. Matthew 6:33 clearly gives first priority to seeking the Kingdom of God. Jesus, The Living Expression of God, was in Martha’s house, teaching, and Martha wanted to pull Mary away from Jesus and His teaching. Since Martha’s priorities conflicted with Kingdom priorities, Jesus rejected her request.

Reflections:

Knowing that Jesus had fed multitudes with scarce amounts of bread and fish, why couldn’t Martha stay with Mary at Jesus’ feet and not worry about dinner?

Knowing God to be all knowing, why are we apt to be fast to worry and slow to seek God’s wisdom for our concerns and needs?