Mary and Martha

The Bible Story of Mary and Martha is perhaps one of the most familiar for women. It’s easy to identify with Martha and much harder to keep close to the Lord Jesus like Mary. To work for the Lord is good or nothing would be accomplished, but not at the sacrifice of a deep love for God.

38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”

41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42, NKJV

Mary and Martha

When thinking of Mary and Martha, we see that Mary took time to show her love for the Lord. Let’s take a look at some of the things Jesus said about love.

You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:43-44

There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? Luke 7:41-42

I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? John 5:41-44

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

If you love Me, keep My commandments. . . If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. John 14:15 and 23-24

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. . . This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. John 15:9 and 12-17

I think one of the reasons Christ spoke to Mary and Martha as He did is because at one time or another we are all like Martha. Isn’t it true that life is so busy it’s hard to take a few minutes out of the day just to sit at Jesus’ feet? Considering all of the verses above it becomes pretty apparent that love is more than just an ooy gooy feeling deep inside us. Christ often equated love, that is love for Him, with keeping His word and His commandments. Yet, how can we keep His word and His commandments when we do not have any time in our life to learn them, ponder them, and apply them to our lives.

Mary and Martha teach us that loving God isn’t really a showy sort of thing, is it? It takes time and effort to break away from our busy life just to praise and worship Christ. How much do we love Him? Do we truly understand the price He had to pay just because of each one of us? Who will love Christ more; the one who was forgiven little, or forgiven much?

Let us learn from the Bible Story of Mary and Martha. Take time each day to just sit and ponder your love for God; think of it as a necessity because it truly is! Satan is there to devour you at every step of the way, or at least to make your service to God of no effect.

Find an easy daily devotional to read and ponder before you start each day. Just get up 15-20 minutes earlier each day. Here’s an Online Daily Devotional site. The devotions are short, and well worth the time to praise and adore Christ. Then, like we have learned from Mary and Martha, go out in the world and bear much fruit!