But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 NASB1995)
What does it take to get a seal of approval? Is it belonging to the “correct” political party or accepting the current ideology? Is it money, the perfect body, the latest fashion, the perfect house, or something else entirely? Luke 10:38-42 gives us a clue as to what it takes to be approved. In these verses we meet Mary and Martha who are the sisters of Lazarus, a good friend of Jesus. These women have two totally different ideas about getting approval.
Martha welcomes Jesus into her home but is distracted with all her preparations. I can imagine that prior to Jesus’ arrival, she was making sure the house was spotless and the food was purchased for the meal. She was probably hoping that Jesus would recommend her for the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval after His visit. I think if we could see into Martha’s deepest thoughts, we may find she had the attitude of God got a “good deal” with her as the hostess. Mary on the other hand just wants to sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to and hanging on to His every Word.
But when the food prep becomes overwhelming to Martha, she asks Jesus for help – but on her terms. Get Mary in here…NOW! Jesus lovingly tells her that she is worried and bothered by many things, but that Mary has chosen the good part that will not be taken away. Mary’s faith has brought the Lord’s approval, not Martha’s works.
It’s interesting that Jesus could have banished Mary, Martha, and subsequently all women to the kitchen and kept them there. Instead, He commends Mary’s choice of listening to Him. At the same time, it’s an invitation for Martha (and us) to put down the dishcloth, and join Him, to listen to Him, undistracted by worries and burdens. He appreciates her work, but He wants a relationship with her more.
And, wonderfully, Martha’s story is not over. When Lazarus passes away, Jesus eventually comes to the home. After initially sounding disappointed that Jesus hadn’t come sooner, Martha makes this stunning declaration of faith in John 11:27: “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.” Martha, too, had chosen the good part, the one necessary thing, that will not be taken away. She now walked in the Lord’s approval where her homemaking skills, submitted to Him, could be used for His glory. She had a new reason for living. Martha’s story gives us hope that God can change us and our attempts for approval as we listen to Him, hanging on His every word.
Photo by Susan Kirsch on Unsplash
The Clean Housekeeper Wannabe 