At Bible study last night, our text was that familiar story from Luke about Martha's big dinner in honor of Jesus. In brief it goes like this. (Jerry's version)
Jesus was coming to Bethany to visit and, as usual, would be stopping in to see his friends; Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Martha thought it would be great to have a big dinner for Jesus and so she invited friends and set the date. On the day, Jesus arrived with the group that traveled with him and they sat in the courtyard, where he taught and shared. Mary adored the Lord, just soaking in the wisdom of His words, so she got a rug and sat down right at his feet! And there she stayed all afternoon. Every time Martha looked out at the group, all she saw was Mary gazing up at Jesus and each time she became more angry that she had all the dinner preparation to do alone.
About 5 pm, when she was trying to put the finishing touches on the roast lamb and still supervise the servants who were bringing in the additional furniture, she wiped away the perspiration and at that very moment saw Mary just sitting there. Martha forgot her manners and marched right into the center of the group where she confronted Jesus. "Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand." (Luke 10:40, The Message) The atmosphere went distinctly chilly and silent.
How would Jesus handle this outburst? Everyone was embarrassed for Martha, though they understood her frustration. His reply was unexpected, less than comforting, even confrontational: "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 10:41-42, NKJV)
The Bible leaves the story unfinished!
Did Martha's heart change? Did she storm off in anger? Who knows? But we do learn a powerful lesson: serve well and take joy from the privilege of serving!
Martha's mistake was not in making dinner, but in thinking that her sister was obligated to be a part of her service! Her resentment destroyed her joy in offering her gift of service. In that she is a lesson for everyone of us. I hope to remember this story throughout this time of Christmas when there are so many opportunities to do good, to serve. I hope I remember to just do what I do for the sheer joy of it, and not to think that everybody needs to think that what I am doing is so important that they must join in! The Word shows us how to serve in a way that avoids frustration: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)
Jesus did not condemn Martha's efforts, nor did He not appreciate her offering of a wonderful meal. He challenged her attitude in preparing it! How would He view what you do for Him, friend? Is your giving, your serving, your worship offered from a sense of obligation, with an edge that says, "I'm the only one who gives myself at this level of sacrifice. Why am I surrounded with such a bunch of turkeys?" If so, the most wonderful service in the world is tainted, the joy of it both for the served and the server lost. We need to stop looking around to see who is joining in, who is applauding, who appreciates what we do and just look up! There in the face of Jesus is all the reward and affirmation we need.
Martha blew a gasket when she let all the details of serving dinner to Jesus overwhelm her so that she lost sight of the reason she was doing it in the first place - to show Him her love. Let's not make the same mistake.
"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.
Study how he did it.
Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever.
And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." (Hebrews 12:2, The Message)
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