A Tale Of Mary and Martha
Would you agree, that many believers in Christ, read and study the Truths of the Bible, the characters in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ only to find themselves examining one’s own character traits to see if they measure up to that particular psychological profile?
STOP!
If that is your plumb line when you engage yourself in deep bible study, please take a moment to consider what I am about to share with you as it was related to me through a recent conversation with God in a summer bible study class.
During the summer, when many of my church’s extra-curricular activities and special meetings are curtailed, or suspended for a few months, the administrative staff offers summer book clubs that members can participate in on a volunteer basis for 6 weeks. The book the staff chose for this summer was Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World by Joanna Weaver.
As I participated in this book club, I was amazed at how profoundly and skillfully Mrs. Weaver was able to communicate biblical truths to me through the study of a tale of two sisters featured in the bible named Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42. The author makes a point that when the story of Mary and Martha are preached, most listeners tend to equate themselves with either Mary’s character or Martha’s character. (Mary sits mesmerized in the living room at Jesus’ feet along with the men, as they listen to the teachings of the Master, while Martha is busying herself in the kitchen, slaving over preparations for lodging and the meal to be served later to their guests. She asks Jesus to make Mary come and help her. Jesus declines saying that Mary has chosen the better part!)
The author states and I now also agree, that if you are of the mindset that this bible story is meant for you to choose which sister’s character trait you best identify with, you may be missing the whole spiritual nugget of this passage. Weaver writes: “Stereotypes keep us from embracing truth. The story of Mary and Martha was never meant to be a psychological profile or a role play in which we choose the character with whom we most identify. This is the story of two different responses to one singular occasion. In it, we should find not our personality type, but the kind of heart Christ longs for us to have.” Page 101
Lesson Learned By Me…God asks, what is your mindset?
God wants us to check our mindset when we enter into the sanctuary of his presence and the study of his word. Ask yourself is the bible story a study of someone’s character or a lesson on the correct way to respond to biblical norms and godly instructions. Jesus said that Mary had chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
Your assignment is to write your own paragraph, using scriptures, on why Jesus responded to Martha in that manner.
During my conversations with God, I purposely lay bare my heart and desires to be at peace with him and to choose the better part of all circumstances of life with the aide and comfort of the Holy Spirit, sent to us at the ascension of Christ Jesus after His resurrection. And the Holy Spirit promises to support my propensity for change in the words of the following scripture lesson below.
Scripture Lesson: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26-27
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Conversations With God Using Scripture 
Very good. I see Mary and Martha in the light of both being equally loved. In those days women did not sit in the teachings with men. Only after Christ rose did women also partake of teachings with men.
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You are so right. Hawk2017. But what we see here is that Jesus is the ‘norm’. Man’s traditions have no bearing on Him. Scripture says that there will come a time when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is LORD. No matter that you have heard and received the truth or not. There is something about that Name that requires submission. Thank God Martha later comes to herself. Hopefully, all mankind will yield. Amen
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TY for the clairification. 🙂
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Excellent explanation of the difference between viewing this as a lesson in character versus it’s true meaning of attitude and choice. God bless!
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Welcome back to blogging, Dee. All I was trying to impart in this blog is for biblical truth seekers to be transparent before the Lord. In Him there are no big I’s and little you’s. God will examine our hearts and motives in regards to our service to and for him. Do we serve him for show or reward? He has already given us our reward (in Christ Jesus) which, by the way, none of us deserve. Personally, I want to serve him for his love, his mercy and his grace. Something that is available to all of us for the asking. Amen!
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