There was a movie out recently called “Vantage Point.” In this movie there was a terrorist attack. The first part of the movie showed the attack through the eyes of one witness. Then the movie showed the attack through the eyes of another witness. They did this several times; and each time it was shown over through the eyes of a different observer; it looked like a replay but with more information. So it is in Luke 10:38-42.
At first glance we can take a look at Martha and think that she had everything together. In verse 38 she displays her hospitality by inviting Jesus into her home. In Luke 10:40 she is quite involved with much serving, so, evidently she had a servant’s heart. Also in verse 40 she called Jesus “Lord”; that is a good thing – we need to see Him as Lord.
At second glance we see Martha through the eyes of Luke, (the writer of this Gospel). He said that Martha was “cumbered about with much serving”. This word cumbered means, drawn from the center. Luke’s observations would suggest that she was missing what was central or important.
At third glance we hear from Martha; she indicts herself with just two short sentences. First she accused the Lord of not caring; she also accused Mary of not helping. When we are out of balance spiritually we can get critical and judgmental. Secondly, she didn’t ask her sister to help, instead, right in front of her sister, she complained to Jesus. Thirdly, we can see that she called Jesus “Lord” but then started bossing Him around. Lord means “boss” but she inadvertently tried to trump His Lordship by telling Him what to do. You can see in her two short sentences that she was self-absorbed as she used three or four personal pronouns.
At fourth glance we can see this situation through the eyes of Jesus. He spoke very compassionately to her as He called her name twice, (maybe somewhat of a calming address). He proceeded to tell Martha that she was worried and bothered about too many things; (we get our word, “turbulence” from the Greek word, “turbozo”). It was as if Jesus was watching her run on the hamster wheel of life, and He finally addressed her troubled state when she came in to spew her feelings.
At fifth glance we can’t tell what Mary was thinking; only that she was sitting and listening. Interesting observation: all three times Mary is mentioned in the gospels she is at the feet of Jesus. Two of these times she is being accused by someone. In this passage she is being accused by Martha; in John chapter 12 she is being accused by Judas for wasting pricy perfume. Both times she is being attacked – she said nothing; but both times Jesus came to her defense.
I guess from this overview, our perspective should be: We would do better to rest at the feet of Jesus.
Andy
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2 comments:
For me it is much easier to be the one who keeps busy and wants others to help than the one who sits at the feet of Jesus in adoring worship. But as you pointed out from Luke's point of view-Martha was critical and crabby and Mary was calm and content. Your post reminded me that running on the hamster wheel is not really accomplishing much, but learning from Jesus will never be wasted time...and it might improve my disposition. Thanks, Jeannie
Thank you so much for your post on the comparison of Jesus' presence in two people lives and how they reponse differently.
I picture myself as Martha more than Mary. I see myself doing the Lord's work and get busy with things that hindered me from hearing the still quiet small voice of God. Sometimes I don't want to be Mary because most of us tend to see her as a woman who has a weaker personality than her sister.
I want to be like Mary because I want Jesus to defend me and I am fully confident that He will never make mistake in reponse to those who might attack me.
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