I can almost hear Martha's thoughts, her inner monologue;
maybe because I have heard similar rants from others, or
maybe because I have heard the echos in my own mind.
"All these guests.
At mealtime, no less.
And where is Mary?
Certainly not in the kitchen.
No! She's in the other room,
with the men,
hanging out,
relaxing
and laughing.
Who's left to do all the work?
That's right!
Dependable old Martha,
the reliable, trustworthy,
kitchen wench.
It's just not right!
Jesus ought to do something about this!
Jesus will do something about it.
He's about fairness and equality."
So Martha works up the courage to leave the kitchen and
go interrupt Jesus in the living room.
"LORD, tell Mary to HELP me."
Jesus' response was puzzling and unexpected,
"Martha, you're upset and worried about many things,
but only one thing is really important.
Mary has made a better choice than you.
I will not take it from her."
Martha wants to storm back to the kitchen, but
the wind has been (temporarily) lost from her sails.
She goes back to the kitchen slowly,
the wind gaining strength with every step.
The monologue resumes.
"What has Mary chosen that I haven't?
Laziness?
Certainly not responsibility!
Who's going to make sure there's food
for ALL these people
if I don't prepare it?
That's right.
No one!
If I went into the other room and just sat there,
what would happen at meal time?
Everyone would be hungry and looking at me,
expecting me to put food on the table
because that's what I always do.
It's not like we are a rich family who can afford
to have a servant do all that work.
So, who's going to make sure I'm not embarrassed
in front of all these guests and the Master?
Only me.
What other choice do I have?
Laziness?
To be an inhospitable host?
To be embarrassed before my friends and house guests?
How can a choice that leads to laziness,
embarrassment and
shame be
better?
So, here I am,
being responsible.
AGAIN.
The only one, ...
No one else volunteers.
No one helps.
Only me ..."
And her resentment and bitterness
grows,
until finally,
LIGHT
penetrates
the self-serving
darkness of her soul.
She understands what her Lord was saying,
"Martha,
though your faithful,
dutiful service is appreciated,
that's not why I came.
I came to be with you,
not to share your food.
I came to fellowship because I love you,
not because your house is clean.
It's not about you or your service -
it's about relationship.
Mary chose relationship over duty.
I will not take that from her.
Will you make the same choice?
That is my invitation to you.
Repent of your self-serving duty and
self-righteous sacrifice, and
come be with me.
You may still serve,
but with a different motivation and outlook.
Martha,
I love you.
Come,
BE WITH me."
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