[This is a message from 6/24/01 on the Martha/Mary story]
This familiar story turns on a contrast between two good things: kingdom service/hospitality and listening to the word of the kingdom.
First of all there is kingdom service and hospitality
In v. 4 we are told that Martha “is distracted by much service.” And she was upset her sister Mary left her to “serve alone.”
In Luke’s gospel (and as well his book of Acts) “service” is a good thing:
* In Luke 4:39 Peter’s mother in law was healed and got up to “serve” Jesus and the others in her house.
* In Luke 8:3 there were several women who had been healed, who “provided” for Jesus’ needs while he traveled.
* The word means to provide food and hospitality; to take care of someone’s needs.
* This word is also the same word that is used for the Deacon work described in Acts 6, where the seven served food to the needy in the church.
Earlier in Luke 10:8 Jesus talked about how his disciples are to accept such service as they traveled about preaching. When they were “welcomed” into people’s homes they were to eat what is set before them.
And this is exactly what Martha is doing in Luke 10:38 when she “welcomed” Jesus into her home and was busy with hospitality needs.
Second, there is listening to the word of the kingdom
In v. 39 we are told that Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what Jesus was saying.” She took up the position of a disciple and was learning his way.
In Luke “listening” is a very important word:
* In Luke 8:8 Jesus says, “let anyone with ears to hear, listen.”
* In Luke 8:18 Jesus says, “pay attention to how you listen.”
* In Luke 9:35, God says of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son . . .. Listen to him!”
Listening is the first and crucial step in being a disciple of Jesus.
This brings us to . . .
The Point of Contrast
Martha is “distracted by much service” from listening to the word of the kingdom. And not only this, but she intends to distract Mary too; to take her away from Jesus’ feet.
Jesus responds – there “is need of only one thing” – which is listening. Service is good, but the “better part” is learning the way of the kingdom and this “better part” will not be taken away from Mary.
Now lets look at three applications that come from this story:
1. We must beware of the “Martha Syndrome.” That is, someone who diligently and consistently works for the kingdom, but
* who is so busy that they are distracted from the one thing that is needful – listening to the word
* who is so busy that they are distracted from the better part of sitting at Jesus’ feet
This can happen to any of us. We get so busy in serving the Lord that we are drawn away from the very one we desire to bless and please.
2. The role of women in the Jesus movement.
In Luke 9:57-62 Jesus makes it clear that the presence of the kingdom messes up traditional social conventions. For instance in vs. 59-60 when the man asked to go bury his father before he came to follow Jesus, Jesus says that the kingdom takes priority even over this.
So also here. The traditional role for women was to do the hospitality chores; the serving. Martha was fulfilling this role and pressuring Mary to get with it.
But Mary takes up the traditionally male role of a disciple, learning from Jesus.
Jesus is saying in this story that the “better part” of discipleship is also for women. They are not bound to serve the kingdom in only traditional female roles of hospitality and service.
So even though it breaks social convention, Mary’s listening to Jesus and becoming a disciple “will not be taken away from” her. The kingdom takes precedence over such social conventions.
3. In our own church, when these two good things collide – service and listening to the word – we need to make sure that listening wins out.
Now, women still do more service and hospitality at our meals and beyond, than do the men. So women, I say to you especially, beware of this and never let it distract you from listening and worship.
Let the food burn up; let it get cold, let the fellowship meal be late. Choose the better part. Don’t be distracted by much service.
And men this is what I say to you – learn to serve! Never force women into social conventions that distract them from their being disciples of Jesus on an equal basis with you.
William Higgins
Christian teaching 