Martha welcomes the Lord
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
I love the story of Martha. I love to read of her large-heartedness and welcoming spirit, her forthrightness, her frailties, her honesty, her faith and, of course, her service. I want to reflect on the first part of her story. In a nation where Jesus constantly faced rejection, there was one place where He was accepted – Bethany. In that town, it was Martha who welcomed Him into her home. Each Lord’s Day morning, we normally travel to meet in large and small places to remember the Lord. This morning we welcome Him into our homes.
Martha wanted everything to be just right. She worked hard to feed and serve the Lord and His disciples, and became, as we well know, frustrated with the inactivity of her sister. Finally, Martha expressed her unhappiness with the situation and with the Lord.
What Jesus says to her is very interesting. He doesn’t say, “Martha, you are troubled about cooking.” He says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). Her frustration was a symptom of a burdened heart and mind. We can disguise our distress by service. We can serve others while feeling deeply burdened ourselves. Controlling and ordering every part of our lives seems to be the way to keep them on an even keel. We can fear inactivity and only see disorder when things don’t go our way. This leads to dissatisfaction with others and we can be tempted to question the Lord.
The Lord Jesus knew every one of the many things which worried and troubled Martha. And He knows those things which afflict us. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
He wanted Martha, and He wants us, to learn to find peace in His presence and to understand that resting in the Lord is not inactivity but the basis of true and effective service.
One of the most difficult things to learn is to sit in the presence of the Saviour. Today we are living in a world forced to stop. May the Lord reinforce in our hearts the necessity of sitting at His feet and listening to His word. We can begin, this morning, by responding to His request to remember Him in His death and rejoice in the experience of His love, peace and power. Then go out to serve Him.
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