Martha & Mary

Familiar story, differing interpretations

Mary good, Martha bad -> we should pray, not work.

I’ve seen the fruit of the Spirit at work in kitchens as much as I have in study groups

Related to grace vs works. Something else going on?

Competition for Jesus’ affection, Jesus chooses Mary. Belittles sisters, profound misunderstanding of cultural context

Jesus doesn’t judge, both qually good. Refutation of interpretation 1. However, Jesus clearly chooses. What’s going on?

3 things happening

welcome

cult of busy-ness

sitting at Jesus’ feet

Welcome

personal, relational, together -

being hospitable.

Welcoming the guest/welcoming the stranger

Posture

Culture

founded in humility and love

both Martha and Mary - Martha opens her home, Mary draws near to Jesus.

Good. Paints both sisters in a good light. Maybe this story isn’t only about sibling rivalry after all.

After teh setting of the scene, 2 different stories emerge.

Cult of busyness

Martha’s story

We get caught up in the need to “do” something

Often with unexpected news - like someone who is important to you turning up unannounced.

Perfect opportunity to use my favourite word - scurryfunge

There are good things that come of it, Jesus and disciples were fed, our friends felt supported

But there’s also a fluster and a frustration

guests tested positive with COVID. Race to “do” something

but it doesn’t fix anything. Doesn’t change anything. Not healed of COVID.

Tension between the way things are, and the way things should be.

As we read through Luke’s Gospel there is a growing tension between Jesus’ ministry of hospitality and healing, and the journey to the cross. I wonder if Martha was feeling that tension. Maybe that’s what has got her on edge

We feel it too. That tension between the way things are and the way things should be.

Tension between what’s going well and what’s not going the way we imagined.

Illness that comes at us out of the blue

The tension between our hopes and dreams for our families, and the reality of our struggles in life

The tensions worshipping God in a church community that we love, and seeing fewer, grey-er heads from year to year.

There are always things we could have done “better” - like Mary helping Martha out in the kitchen - the truth is that we have very little control over our circumstances.

I’d say that, by and large, We’ve been good stewards, working harder isn’t going to change our reality. If working harder worked, it would have worked by now.

Invited into fruitful stewardship.

What might that look like?

Mary sitting at His feet.

Despite Martha’s frustrastion, she is Not slacking off

Not in love

She’s doing something quite daring. Something that requires an enormous amount of faith. Something that requires trusting that even though we’re not in control, there is someone who loves us beyond the constraints of our circumstances.

crossing boundaries

female space vs. male space.

Sitting at his feet cf. Paul & Gamaliel

Mary the Rabbi

Follows her calling.

Trusts Jesus to include her.

Gender roles (Obsessed with gender & sexuality)

Martha wants to define Mary, force her into the expected role. Paints herself into the corner

What we don’t see when we do this is that we are also limiting ourselves. Allowing our circumstances to control us. In seeking to force Mary into an expected role, she forces herself too

Jesus’ response

Says that Mary has chosen the better way

Why is it better?

Not saying that sitting is better than working. Otherwise Parable of Good Samaritan makes no sense. Deliberately put together.

Perhaps an inllustration of both extremes? - Religiosity vs compassion & busy-ness vs devotion?

Jesus affirms Mary’s calling.

“Jesus’ valuation of each human being is based on the overflowing love of God, which, like a great river breaking its banks into a parched countryside, irrigates those parts of our common humanity which until now had remained barren and unfruitful. Mary stands for all of us who, when we hear Jesus speaking about the kingdom, know that God is calling us to listen carefully so that we can speak of it too.” N. T. Wright - “Luke for Everyone” p. 131 (paraphrased)

This is the better way.

Intimate. Inclusive. Radical. Open. Life giving. Free.

It’s for Mary. It’s for Martha. It’s for all of us who are welcomed into God’s family, just as Martha welcomed Jesus into her home.

Leads into Jesus’ teaching on prayer. Lord’s prayer is radically intimate. Requires a lewap of faith to participate. Relies on trust in someone beyond ourselves to include us.

Circles around to closeness. Hospitality. Boldnesss, but also humility.

Ask & it will be given. Seek & you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.

Who are we seeking?

What doors are we knocking on?

Where is Jesus inviting us to be?