Jesus Protects Mary from Martha’s Agenda!
One of the interesting times where Jesus reveals His protection is in the interaction between Mary and Martha. Many are familiar with this event. Jesus comes and spends some time with Mary and Martha. Mary is fascinated with Jesus and quite frankly neglects some chores because she is completely absorbed with Jesus. Martha, understandably, gets upset! “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Sound like something I would say) Jesus basically tells Martha that Mary is permitted to drop her chores for a little while because the King of Life is feeding her.
It is very important to understand that Jesus is NOT criticizing Martha for service. We are commanded to serve one another … in love. And we should all recognize that as the 2nd Commandment. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is a lot of service in that commandment. However, it is very critical to understand there is actually a 1st Commandment. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ Mark 12:29 Jesus is not putting down service, but He is elevating the 1st Commandment above the 2nd Commandment. He wants both of those commandments… but He want them in order!
Mary has given herself in open hearted fascinating to Jesus. Martha, like myself, is distracted by all the lists of things that need to be done. She is having a hard time prioritizing the events in her existence. Here is a critical moment that contains the essence of life, Jesus Himself in her home, and Martha ( and myself) are getting distracted about some dirty dishes and some food that needs heating up.
Mary has somehow over-ruled the clamor of the “to do lists” and gives her full attention to Jesus. And when Martha objects, Jesus validates Mary’s choice and protects her heart from Martha’s criticism.
For 15 or 20 years as a Christian I completely missed Jesus’ protection. Presently I am finding it everywhere. What shall we do with this event and others like it?
Don’t rush to the 2nd Commandment and say, “Hmmm, since Jesus protects people, how can I protect people?” Do that in a few minutes but not right now. First things First! Give yourself to Jesus in the 1st Commandment and worship Him. How do you do that? On possible way is to tell Him how much you delight in seeing His protection for Mary or in other events. Tell Him what you like about Him. Seriously! Praise delights the heart of God!
Take Away:
God Is Just Like Jesus:
John 1:18 “No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.” (RSV) One of the great missions of Jesus coming to the earth was to “reveal the Father” or “make Him known.” Think about human history and all the confusion around the question of “what is God really like?” Jesus is God. And He appeared in a human body for 33 years to live life and show us EXACTLY what God is like. Jesus’ protection of Mary’s open hearted devotion perfectly reveals God’s protection over people who are devoted to Him. No other person in history reveals God perfectly.
1st Commandment Prayer:
Jesus, I love the way you protect Mary’s simple devotion and fascination with you! Too often I am distracted by good things and miss the best things. Help me be given to you! The more I see your protection of your imperfect and weak followers the more awesome you become in my eyes! You are the Genesis 1 God who created the heavens and the earth! And yet you stoop low to protect ones who are imperfect but learning to receive your love and love you back! You are amazing!
This week’s Text: Luke 10:38-41
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”