Don’t you just love it when the personalities of the people
in the Bible shine through, and ring true?
Martha and Mary, the older and younger sister. It’s almost like they’re people we know. The older sister, who is so often concerned
with running the show, doing things the right way, making sure everyone and
everything is taken care of. And the
younger sister, the one who always seems to get away with murder, the one who
goes her own way and isn’t so concerned about the rules and the
expectations. And no small amount of
friction ensues between these two archetypes.
But whether you have an older or younger sister, whether you
are even male or female, there’s a little bit of Martha and a little bit of
Mary in all of us. Martha shows us the
dangers of distraction and worry, and Mary teaches us the virtue of listening
carefully to the word of Jesus – the Gospel.
And Jesus teaches us that Mary has the better part.
Some commentators suggest that Martha was so busy because
Jesus was there with a crowd. Maybe even
the 72 that were sent out to preach and returned rejoicing – we heard about
that a couple weeks ago. But whatever
the case, Martha is caught up in “much serving”.
Martha, Martha. Jesus
repeats her name in a loving and gentle rebuke.
It’s not a harsh condemnation of fire and brimstone. It’s not a “woe unto you” like he would say
to the Pharisees. But Martha needs some
gentle correction and reminding here.
Here priorities are a little out of whack.
Which might surprise some people! After all, what Martha was doing was
good! She was serving others, making
sure everyone else is ok, everyone’s needs are met, they’re comfortable, well
fed, and happy. She’s showing the virtue
of hospitality and welcoming people into her home, and playing that supportive
role so that Jesus can do his teaching.
In fact, you might even sympathize with her, being a little
put out that her sister isn’t helping.
Step up and do your part, Mary!
All hands on deck! And if Mary
won’t listen, then maybe Jesus will.
Don’t you care, Jesus?
Look at all the hard work I’m doing.
Don’t you care that she’s not helping?
Tell her to get off her duff and lend a hand.
But now she’s not just telling Mary what she should be
doing, she’s crossing the line into telling Jesus how to run things. Yes, Martha needs a little course correction,
and Jesus gently gives it.
Notice, though, he doesn’t slam Martha’s good works. He says Mary has chosen the better part, or
the better portion. Not that what Martha
is doing is bad. But it’s a matter of
priorities. First things first. Martha’s got the cart before the horse.
So often Christians fall into the same sort of thing. Serving, giving, working, sacrificing. Doing all the Christian things that fall
under “love your neighbor”. And not even
always the flashy things, but even the mundane good works like taking out the
trash and making dinner.
And if the people we are serving don’t seem grateful, the hard
feelings creep in. And if we don’t feel
we’re getting the help, or the respect or recognition, or that we’re being
taken for granted, the resentment starts.
And all of a sudden your attempt to love your neighbor and fulfill your
vocation is now just another example of you caught in sin.
Our good works of serving our neighbor – they’re good. And we should do them. But they’re not the better part. They’re not the main thing for the
Christian. They are the fruits of
faith. They are the cart, not the horse.
So what did Mary choose that was better? Well there she was, sitting at the feet of
Jesus. Listening to his teaching. Hearing and believing his word. The better part is the Gospel, and the faith
that receives it.
Faith and works are both important for the Christian. You can even say necessary. But faith is the better part, for that is how
we are saved. Passively receiving the
grace and mercy of God through the good news of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,
the Holy Spirit works and grows faith in our hearts. We are, in Christ, a new creation. Created, and now re-created by him.
And there’s nothing to do, to obtain this grace, but simply
receive it. Believe it. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the
word of God.” No works of service and
love can add a single thing. No buzzing
around with the business of loving God or neighbor is what makes you a
Christian. But all of that is simply
what we do because we are Christians.
Now, there’s a time and a place for everything. And there’s a time and place for works, for
much serving. To fulfill your vocation
as husband or wife, son or daughter, father or mother, friend or neighbor. There’s a time to wash dishes and change
diapers and punch the clock and mow your elderly neighbor’s lawn.
But if you’re not first sitting at the feet of Jesus, if
you’re not first choosing the better part by hearing the good news of Christ
crucified for sinners, then your good works are all for naught. And if you are hearing and receiving and
believing in Jesus, then you can’t help but go and serve and love your
neighbor.
And what was Mary hearing?
The words of Jesus. By this time,
Jesus was on his way to the cross, full steam ahead.
He will do the one thing needful for our salvation – suffer
and die for the sins of the world. He
will do what no amount of good works can even approach. He will do it all, and do it for us. And he has.
Martha must have listened.
For later, when her brother Lazarus died, she would have another
conversation with Jesus that John’s gospel records. And in it, some of the most beautiful, sweet
Gospel there is. And Martha beautifully
confesses her faith.
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
The one thing needful.
The better part. Jesus himself,
the Christ, the Son of God. Who came
into the world ,to die for the world and to save the world and promise to us a
resurrection.
Don’t be distracted. Continue
to sit at his feet with Mary, with Martha, and all the other faithful
believers. Hear the word of Christ and believe. It will not be taken from you.
And then, go, in faith, and serve, to the glory of God and
the benefit of your neighbor, in Jesus’ Name.
Amen,