Martha-up

Martha (with sweat dripping off of her brow) had had it.  Mary could at least get off of her lazy be-hind and help.  She wanted to be sitting down, too but the work wasn’t going to get done by itself.  If Mary would help, they both could relax and enjoy the teaching.  But no…  Not only was Mary not going to help but the Master took her to task for asking!

Isn’t this the way we hear the story of Jesus at Martha’s house portrayed?  Isn’t Martha always condemned for being encumbered about with much while Mary is praised because she chose the good part?  So much so, that we have made a doctrine out of being a Martha or a Mary (with the Martha’s being much criticized).

This is the first recorded instance of Jesus being in Martha’s house but it wouldn’t be the last.  We only have a few brief facts about this story.

1. Jesus came to Bethany, Martha’s hometown

2.  Martha invited Him to her house for dinner

3.  Mary sat and listened while Martha worked

4.  Jesus commended Mary

And we have condemned Martha ever since.

But…it was practical Martha who had a house, enough food to feed the implied large group that was there and was willing to do it.  It was practical Martha who went to meet Jesus when He came after Lazarus died.  (We often condemn her for saying ‘if you’d only been here’.  We tend to forget that she added ‘but even now I know that God will give you whatever You ask’.)   It was practical Martha who went and got Mary when Jesus specifically asked to see her.

Is it obvious I like Martha?  It’s the Marthas (male or female) that keep the church clean, the lights working and the sound system going.  It’s the Marthas that get up early and stay up late preparing for that class (VBS, concert, women’s meeting, etc.).  It’s the Marthas that stand quietly in the background making sure everything goes smoothly.

My question is…why (in our minds) does it have to be one or the other?  Shouldn’t we be both?  Many hands do make light work.  Sometimes we need to be still and soak in Jesus.  Then, sometimes we need to Martha-up and get it done so we can all enjoy Jesus.