Oh…she's sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him! Fine for her, but not fair for me! I'm sure it would be nice to listen to Jesus, but we don't have time! There's a bit more dusting and sweeping to do. Only one jar of water - I know it's enough, but for a special guest we must go to the well and draw some fresh. The herbs bought yesterday would do at a pinch, but I don't like it when the visitor's as important as Jesus! Amazing how those flowers have lasted. Three days old and looking as fresh as new. Of course, I know - and Mary knows - that they aren't as fresh as new at all. We need some new flowers!
Oh…. she's still sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to him! Fine for her, but not fair for me! We don't have time to listen to Jesus - he's too important a guest by far. I can't cope! I can't stand the injustice of it! I'll just have to break in! I must have Mary's help!
Most of us have been in Martha's situation at one time or another! There is probably no situation in the Gospels where we are so puzzled by the words and actions of Jesus! It is one of those family situations, and so close to our own lives.
From our childhood on, we have protested - inwardly or outwardly - about situations unjust to us. As a child, it was when we were asked to do some chore - the washing up, perhaps. We were quite sure it was our brother's or sister's turn! As a father or mother, it has been the feeling that so often we are left to do the work while others have all the fun! Fine for them, but not fair for us!
Then we read this Gospel story and come to the conclusion that there is something wrong - Jesus should have told Mary to buck in and help, but instead he let her get away with it - worse than that, he commended her for her inactivity!
Now, being honest with ourselves, haven't we had these thoughts and feelings about this incident? Don't we find ourselves identifying with Martha?
The Good News Bible says that "Martha was." She certainly was upset, but the word masks the thrust of the original Greek here. Today's reading tells us - "Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made." It was more than that she was "upset over all the work she had to do" as the Good News Bible puts it. Mary sat and listened to Jesus, but Martha was distracted by all her preparations.
There is no criticism of Martha for her careful attention to many details. She was obviously the organiser. The smooth running of everything depended so much on her planning and action. But she was distracted by it all. Distracted from what? Dragged away from what was now the most important. The tension was between all that housework and attention to the Guest. This is what the little characterisation tried to recreate. We have sometimes made a job much bigger and far more complex than necessary, given the circumstances. With some of us, perhaps, the urgency leads us to include more, not less, as some deadline is upon us.
Supposing you received a letter from Buckingham Palace to the effect that Queen Elizabeth planned to visit you at your home on such-and-such a date. What would you want to do to be ready? A bit of repair that had been put off? A fresh coat of paint? Yes, and the garden needs freshening up too. Perhaps there's time to get a new tree or shrub established. It would be good to put in some annuals that would be in flower just then. Now what about the wardrobe? If the Queen's coming, there's just nothing I could let her see me in! Now the lounge is getting a bit tatty. I know I shouldn't really be going to A-Mart for something for the royal visitor, but the bank balance mightn't let me do anything else! The day comes and the room is thoroughly dusted and vacuumed. Just in time too! The vacuum cleaner has just been moved into the next room when the newly-installed musical door chime sounds out the tune, "Rule, Britannia"! "Come in, your Majesty! You are very welcome. Sit down over here near my African violets. Aren't they lovely? I'll be with you soon!" Twenty minutes later you emerge from the kitchen with a cup of tea, some freshly-baked scones and strawberry jam.
Of course, our organisation is supposed to forestall that sort of emergency. But - the Queen has come to see you. Not your garden, your house, your clothes, your cooking... Naturally, you want to be your best. These things are not unimportant. They do speak. But sometimes we are striving too much to make a good impression - and she has come for some ordinary conversation and friendship.
In the situation of Martha and her sister Mary - now that Jesus had come, attention needed to be given to the Guest. The housework needed to be reduced to "no frills". The meal - something extra super-duper special would have been fine - that hasn't been possible and we must "make do" with that we have. Someone - why Mary? - must attend to the Guest, and Martha needs to whisk through the basic necessities so that she can join her sister. Did you notice the Martha's comment in the characterisation earlier, "We don't have time to listen to Jesus - he's too important a guest by far"?
"Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
And in our lives, there are so many things to be done. In the organisation of home and the life of our society we face the daily clamour to achieve more. We too face the conflict between the urgent and "what is better". Attending to Jesus and listening to his Word has a prior claim on our lives. He knows the busyness of our lives and the time and effort we will correctly spend doing many things. He also knows the panic, the irritation, the frustration, the resentment... that creeps in among the many things we have to do. He knows the despair, confusion, anxiety and guilt caused as we see how little we are doing to alleviate the major social hurts of our time - hurts like unemployment, domestic violence, marriage breakdown, loneliness...
It all adds up to a call to "go, go, go!" with no let-up, until we fear we might drop. Some burn out along the way, but we must keep on go-go-going! The pressure is upon us! We can't stop!
But there's a point at which we must stop. If we don't give attention to Jesus and hear his Word we won't keep on going. Our actions will be misdirected and ineffective.
Our weekly newsletter declares our missional intention to "preach, teach and practise the Good News of Jesus Christ."
There is a balance and wholeness in that statement. And there is an important priority and progression. Too often we have broken what needs to be together. In too many congregations there has been a division between the prayer-meeting types and the worker types, between those whose main involvement has been to attend to the "preaching and teaching" and those whose practical urge is always to "practise".
There has to be a flow through. If we are to go into the community, it is imperative that we centre our lives on God and feed ourselves on his Word. Then, by the work of his Spirit, we will be released - not to go-go-go - but to give ourselves as we go. There is something wrong if our working is not a response to our Lord.
And if we are to glorify God, we need to be open to him and transformed by his grace - released and impelled into service. There is something wrong if our prayer meeting doesn't lead us to roll up our sleeves and get stuck into the things that the Lord has for us to do.
Put your trust in Jesus. He loves you. He came for you. He died for your sins. He rose again for you.
Spend time with him listening. Pray and read the Word - every day. Don't start a day without spending time with him listening. And seek the opportunity to be involved in a home group - sharing with others. This is quality time - of top priority. Without it the rest of your life will be off-balance. Seek each day, not just personal calmness and peace, but the wisdom and spiritual energy to recognise and do his will.
Then live your life with enthusiasm, vigour and commitment!
Back to Sermons