Martha’s meal was fast food. She was multitasking at a dizzying pace trying to get it all done, “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.”
Mary’s meal was slow, fine dining. She was sitting with Jesus, delightfully savoring the morsel of every moment, as she “sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said” (Luke 10:39,40).
Jesus then gently rebukes Martha—not for working hard, but for letting it make her insecure, worried, and upset when she couldn’t keep up. Martha wants the happiness of security, knowing that everything is okay. Unfortunately, no matter how many kitchen arts she can balance at once, she can’t make it all okay.
“Martha, Martha,” Jesus lovingly chides, saying her name a second time because she’s spinning in so many directions, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed” (Luke 10:41).
Worried. Distracted. Upset. That comes not from many things, but from the lie we believe that if we can possess and control many things everything will be okay. But it will never be.
But Jesus has it in his control, multitasking as God, orchestrating it all, with a promise that he does only what is good for us. Mary believed this, and it made all the difference.
“Mary has chosen what is better,” Jesus promises, “and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). There’s a play on words here. In the original Greek language, Jesus literally says to Martha, “Mary has chosen the better portion,” using a word that refers to a serving of food. In other words, he’s saying to Martha, “Martha, you have some delightful foods, but preparing them is making you miss out on the better delight of what I’ve prepared for you.”
Here are some differences between being a Martha or being a Mary. Which are you?
- Martha opened her home to Jesus. Mary opened her heart.
- Martha prepared dutifully. Mary pondered diligently.
- Martha couldn’t handle everything and wanted Mary’s help. Mary couldn’t handle everything and wanted Jesus’ help.
- Martha thought Jesus didn’t care. Mary knew he did.
- Martha was busy with her own work. Mary was blessed with Jesus’ words.
- Martha was upset because of many things. Mary was peacefully secure because of one thing (Jesus and his teachings).
- Martha wanted to do many things for Jesus and did some of them. Mary wanted one thing from Jesus and got it all.
PRAYER: I’m busy, Jesus. Very busy. Lots of responsibilities. I’m behind on my to-do list. And there are errands to run. Help me slow down, Jesus. Let me stop and trust that everything will be okay if I believe you more than busyness. Then I will be devoted more than distracted. Amen.
FURTHER MEDITATION: Slow. Down. Take just 3 minutes right now. Set a timer on your phone with an alarm to notify you when 3 minutes is up, then stop looking at your phone. Close your eyes. Talk to Jesus in prayer. Confess what busyness is doing to you, how it is distracting you from him instead of drawing you closer to him. Ask for his mercy and forgiveness to help you change your ways. What one thing can you NOT do today, and replace it with just doing this 3-minute talk again?