Jesus and his disciples... 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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)


Martha was doing what she had been brought up to do. There were visitors in the house and it was up to her to provide for their needs. She had no intention of rocking the boat by sitting around listening to a rabbi. There were other times and places for a woman to learn what she needed to know in terms of religious belief.

Mary had no right to sit listening at the feet of a rabbi-it was scandalous behaviour! Like the woman who went to the home of Simon the Pharisee (7:36-50), however, she knew that Jesus did not agree with this view. The way he looked at her and spoke to her told her that he believed she had as much right to know about the things he was speaking of as any man. She could see that what Jesus had to say was too important to miss. She would risk her reputation for it.

The choices we make today may seem less culturally determined than those of Mary and Martha. We may be happy that women do not have to do as Martha did and spend all their time and energy around the home, except, perhaps, for a few years when there are dependent children around. Most women find this liberating and the idea of being a domestic Martha nightmarish. In reality, many are on more of a treadmill than she was and few women, or men, have chosen Mary's way instead.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive me for constantly putting other things before the 'one thing needed'. Help me today to stop and listen, to get my priorities right and build up treasure in heaven.

by Anne Roberts




[Source: Bible Reading Fellowship]