A kind, hard-working, and dutiful lady had to learn about what is better and to recognise, after all, that Jesus was caring for her. Luke gives us a brief compressed pericope with two unusual words and it comes with even some alternative (puzzling) words.
Here is the report which makes the point.Jesus arrived Bethany village on his journeyMartha welcomed him into her homeHer sister Mary sat listening to JesusMartha was very busy with the work (40)Martha asked Jesus if he cared about her being left to itMartha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help herJesus acknowledged Martha’s agitationJesus said less is needed (probably saying only one thing)Jesus said Mary had chosen the good, which she would keep
Location of Lazarus?
Length of notice?
Time of Jesus' arrival?
Martha's preparations (service)?
Number of guests?Length of stay?
In Luke's unique record Jesus had a deliberate plan to visit receptive communities, likely in Judea and Samaria. Jesus had sent out advance parties of 72 disciples by twos, to prepare the way and "assess the lie of the land". They were not to distinguish or prefer the homes of greatest ease and comfort (Luke 10:1-11). Jesus was being watched and investigated by authorities, and thronged by a large "public". Many, many, people did want to hear the Carpenter from Nazareth, though not all wanted to know. So we come to the Bethany visit.
Possibly, then, as mentioned above, Martha had advance warning of a visit. The detailed part of the record we have is conversation between Martha and Jesus. Anything else is guesswork, informed by the background. Nonetheless I think it is likely this the first time this household had met Jesus "close up". I presume Jesus knew he would be welcome there - had the "warm up" campaign spent time with them? Possible, at least. (I think it probable).
On the day of Jesus' visit, Martha had opened her home and found a lot to do! I expect her house was "open plan". Perhaps there were many who accepted her hospitality that day; more than she expected? On that day, was Martha hosting an unexpectedly large group, an unreasonably large party, as I heard asserted? There is no clear evidence for that. At points in the Gospels, we do see crowded dwellings on Jesus' account. On the other hand, however, on occasion we see Jesus take only three of his close followers to share some moment.
Jesus arrived and, as did a rabbi in that time, was teaching those gathered. I imagine back and forth exchanges and Jesus speaking from Law, and Prophets, and Writings. Meanwhile, Martha diligently dealt with the preparations, which were going on whilst Jesus was engaged in the circle. (See Acts 6:2ff for Luke's example of men given the important role of serving [tables] and relieving the Apostles.)
Mary was there, preoccupied with what Jesus said. Martha would be hearing something, not likely everything. Mary as a female disciple may have been prominent in a majority male gathering, if there was one. (Do you think Martha would also have liked to hear what Jesus said and engage in the conversation but was hindered by her tasks? I think so.) Did Martha ask for help? I wonder.
Lord, don’t you care. Is it nothing to you, Jesus? Martha was serving on her own...
What was happening - did Jesus' not care about Martha? Evidently Martha thought Jesus should intervene and tell Mary to stop sitting there; to do as Martha was doing. (Would that have been appropriate for him to do?) And so Martha took her labours, confusion, and disappointment to Jesus. (Was that in front of everyone, I wonder. Probably had to be so.) She asked Jesus to change her sister! To show his care for Martha by directing her sister.
Jesus gave Martha an answer which has anciently caused speculation. (One thing or few things - different experts make different decisions on this - see the text alternatives.)
I think I can say Jesus always cared - what do you think? Martha doing too much? Only one thing is really necessary? Jesus did not speak about this to Martha until she took up his supposed lack of care with him. Was she just exasperated? Do you think Jesus was aware of what was happening there? Surely Jesus had been caring - he did not interfere with Martha's service. He did not correct Martha's industry, for he cared for her.
Someone may speculate that Martha was just feeling overworked, pressured, and left to do everything? I speculate, bearing in mind the unusual language Luke used, that Martha was really conscious of missing out on what was important; of feeling self-pressured to be busy, instead of joining in.
The answer Jesus gave makes it clear there are better priorities. The Lord[b] answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary.[c] Mary has made the right choice,[d] and it will not be taken away from her”(41-42 CSB). Faced with a choice between listening to Jesus or serving with the food, etc, Mary chose the first. (No one would starve!) Was Martha hindered by community expectations; the normal thing? Mary had chosen the "good part". Things were not "normal" that day. There was a better choice to be made just then.
That unusual word rendered as "upset" (or worried/troubled/distracted) conveys being disturbed or troubled. So again here I see Martha was torn, and struggling.
Jesus addressed Martha by her name. I think it was a kindly but firm reply. It may have been softer than it comes across. (My dear Martha in the NLT.) Moreover, more surely happened in the conversations. Luke has made a careful selection from his available sources. Can you imagine Jesus next encouraging Martha to sit with them and be satisfied with what she had achieved; the service she had whole-heartedly given? I can. (No one could count on having more opportunity to listen to Jesus in this way.)
It is not clear to me if Jesus was saying to Martha we need less than you are working hard to do. Or was he simply saying, there was a choice and Mary chose the better alternative. You, Martha, can also do that and feel good about it; find that higher priority. You, Martha, have the same opportunity but you feel more pressure against you.
From ancient times there has been the alternative to "one thing" wording. Perhaps men were alarmed at the women getting the idea of only one necessary thing? The correct (original) reading is really undetermined.
Why did Luke include this brief story, I ask myself. Was it to show that need to put first things first, even contrary to the social norms of the day? Of our day? Readers of Luke will recall Jesus had once quoted: “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone’ ” (Luke 4:4 quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 NRSVUE) Matthew is even stronger "but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (4:4). Yes, "bread" is needed - every day. But what is the focus?
Martha surely would like to be free to sit and listen, like Mary. Martha had taken her concern to Jesus. Jesus spoke with her. What prevented Martha? What do you think happened next - was there more in their conversation? Can we imagine everyone present jumping up and working with Martha to get it done? Can we imagine Martha giving a weak smile and continuing with her solitary work of service? (The latter would not fit with what we see in John - read below.) Can we imagine Martha joining Mary?
And - did Jesus actually care for people? If, starting from that point, I flip back through Luke, I see him meeting the needs of all who come to him. The sick, the tormented, the lepers, the terrified disciples, the hungry listeners - all of them had their needs met. He put others ahead of himself. Ultimately, that meant his death on the cross to bring forgiveness to sinners.
Jesus acknowledged Martha's upset and also pointed out that Mary had decided to do otherwise. He supported Mary and was caring of Martha. Note that these ladies were both known to Jesus by name. They were more than faces in the crowd! Much more than "pew fodder". But, was Jesus insensitive to Martha's needs that day? Was Jesus thinking like many of us males?
What lay behind the pressure Martha felt? Was it a pressure not only of the volume of solitary work, but the lost opportunity to join the disciples. It looks that way to me in the so brief story we have.
Do you think there was more to it? What mistakes were made that day?
Probably also, we can glean just a little more of Martha, and that household, from the Gospel of John... Here are extracts from that unique account:
When Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. So when he heard that he was sick, he stayed two more days in the place where he was (John 11:1-6 CSB).
Note - the threesome were special to Jesus. They knew he loved them... They knew he loved them.
Jesus told her, “Your brother will live again!”
Martha answered, “I know he will be raised to life on the last day,[a] when all the dead are raised.”
Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes, Lord!” she replied. “I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God. You are the one we hoped would come into the world.”
After Martha said this, she went and privately said to her sister Mary, “The Teacher is here, and he wants to see you.” As soon as Mary heard this, she got up and went out to Jesus (John 11:20-29 CEV).
Curiously, Martha alone was the one who met Jesus outside the house that day. She clearly understands the place of Jesus in their lives. I do not know why Mary waited inside to hear Jesus was asking for her. Was it to distract the mourners so Martha could meet Jesus alone? Or, do you think that day deliberately contrasts with the Luke episode?
You can read in John chapter 11 more of the incredible events of the day Jesus came and restored Lazarus to life after four days. The consequence was Jesus had to leave the locality, because he was becoming too prominent, and too esteemed.
John's account moved on to the final week of Jesus' public ministry. Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound[a] of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume (John 12:1-3 ESV). Again we see Martha rendering practical service. This time her activity seems to have presented no turmoil for her. Despite mean criticism, Mary showed her devotion in a very different way. Had she also been helping Martha - I wonder. (I think I can assume it.)
Jesus did care for Martha - and for Mary, and for Lazarus. He cares for all his flock. He has said what he wants of us but will not force anything upon us. We may need to make difficult choices and seek to know. We are given opportunity to choose. As Paul said: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2 NIV). Test and approve; foster a changed mind..
Perhaps Paul reflected these words of Jesus: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33 NLT)? First priorities. However, Martha, in Luke's report, may well have thought God was best served in the way she worked. Was there a difference that day in the availability of the Living Word of God? How do you take Luke's brief report? Does it speak to men and to women? To you? To me? Is it possible for me in daily life to be engaged in something good, but which is not the better alternative?
"Choose what is better" - listen to Jesus.
Martha was worried about all that had to be done. Finally, she went to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn't it bother you that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!” (CEV)
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (ESV)
But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” (NLT)
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” (NRSVUE)
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