Mary and Martha: PRESENT over PERFECT

The Story:

The New International Version Chapter 10

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. c Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The Characters:

Mary and Martha

Both Mary and Martha knew who and what Jesus was.

Why is it important that we tie in Lazarus to this family? Because they would know Jesus

Both genuinely loved Jesus, and both thought they were doing what was best.

Martha’s love language was probably acts of service, and Mary’s was quality time.

Despite them both loving Jesus, only one of them was seeking time and relationship with Him

The New International Version Chapter 10

40 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 was Distracted.

It presumes that Jesus didn’t see the mess in the closet of my life and didn’t want to know that part of me.

Martha, like so many of us, assumed that everything needed to be perfect for Jesus’ presence. See Martha isn’t a bad person, we aren’t mad at her. Her life isn’t full of horrible things. She is busy with good things. She is preparing the house, probably getting fresh wash cloths and towels, and she is maybe making some food doing the dishes etc.

Have you ever been busy with good things? In our own lives that could look like reading a devotion, skipping breakfast to get the kid to school, going to work, skipping lunch to go to a meeting, grabbing coffee on the way to picking up the kid from school, heading to soccer, music, (insert random hobby you hope will materialize into a scholarship here ) , and that is your daily routine all week which leaves going to church somewhere between the soccer game and the extra coffee. None of these things are bad.... School and education are important, Work and productivity is fine, sports and music are healthy outlets for exercise and creativity.

Eventually getting the thing done becomes the thing. That can become damaging.

Family dinner with a toddler

Mary is different, she is a in the moment type person, nothing else matters except the now. Jesus is here so lets hang out with Jesus. Mary recognizes there are things and people in this world worthy of our undivided attention. She is recognizing what a unique opportunity this is and wants to take in every minute.

we read a devotion, go to church, join a life group, make Christian friends.

Martha’s resentment is that she has an expectation that needs to be met.

Jesus is aware of the untidiness of your life, he is ready to spend time with you now, and to fellowship with you now.

At best we are cleaning up in the way a child cleans up their room

The cleaning that needs to take place can only be done from within our heart and lives. This takes genuine time and fellowship with Jesus. Quality over quantity.

If you wait until your life is perfect enough to welcome Jesus in, you will never know him.

The New International Version Chapter 10

42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. c Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

A relationship with Jesus will not be taken away from those who truly invest in it

SO WHAT?

Where can you insert some time for you and Jesus?

What life changes have you felt tugging on you that you need to make to create more space for meaningful relationships?