The Story of Mary and Martha

["Click here for Luke's account"]

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. He entered the Village of Bethany, a small village just east of Jerusalem toward the Jordan River. He entered the home of Mary and Martha. He loved this family (John 11:5), and often stopped there when He was in the area.

There were some who were particular friends to Christ, whom He most frequently visited. It was Martha's house, for probably she was a widow, and her sister, Mary, and a brother, Lazarus, lived with her.

Martha set about her domestic choirs. It was expensive to feed Jesus and His 12 friends and could have resulted in other costs considering the unfavorable position that Jesus had with the religious leaders in Jerusalem, yet Martha had no regard for these costs. Jesus, not wasting a moment nor loosing an opportunity to teach His Disciples began to talk to them there in the home. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to hear all that Christ had to say.

Martha took issue with this, for she had much to do in preparing for her guests, and she complained to Jesus, "Lord do you not care that my Sister had left me to serve alone?" "Tell her to help me." What would you have done if you were in Martha or Mary's place? Was Martha too concerned with the things of this world? Was she, perhaps, a little jealous of Mary's piety and devotion? Was Mary being intrusive in what would appear to be a teaching session between Jesus and the Disciples? Was she being inconsiderate of her sister in not helping her with the preparations for the guests?

Jesus settled the question, "Martha, you are anxious about many things, but Mary has chosen the good portion which shall not be taken from her." Notice Jesus reproves Martha for two things. First for her being totally taken up in what she was doing and secondly for being involved in many things that really was not important. It is a common fault amongst Christians to be troubled about many things that are not important at the expense of those that are. Often when we fret for no just cause, He gives us something to really fret about. Mary had chosen the best, "that which was needful", and it would not be taken from her.

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