Mary and Martha’s encounter with Jesus in Luke 10:38-42 serves as profound reminder that amidst the hustle and bustle of our lives, taking time to learn from the Savior highlights the paramount importance of being taught by the Christ. We are all learners for there is always something learn and Jesus Christ is Teacher—the Rabbi. The Teacher has something to teach about life everlasting.
Martha invited Jesus to dine at her house and the occasion gave the opportunity for Jesus to teach the guests. Martha’s sister Mary “who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Lk. 10:39).[1]
Seeing Mary sister sitting with the disciples and learning was something out of place, and Martha voiced objection to the behavior: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (Lk. 10:40). On the surface, we can easily imagine Martha’s stress. All the preparations for the meal and serving of the guest fell into her hands, she had tasks to do without any help. This would leave the task-orientated person overwhelmed.
But something underneath the surface is taking place that can easily be missed by modern readers with western eyes. Craig Keener points out that “serious disciples were preparing to be teachers—a role not permitted to women…. Mary’s posture and eagerness to absorb Jesus’ teaching at the expense of a more traditional womanly role (10:40) would have shocked most Jewish men.”[2] Martha’s question can be taken as an indirect way of reeling in Mary to assist the homemaker and hostess, which would have been more the expected womanly role within the first century Palestinian context.
Jesus then answers Martha: “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:41-42). He lets Martha and the male disciples that Mary chose “the good portion.” She got the “one thing…necessary” for the occasion. What she received cannot be “taken away.” The appetizer, main course, or desert is the food that perishes, but Mary picked the dish that gives everlasting life. She is partaking in the Bread of Life (Jn. 6:22-62). She finds herself experiencing the reality that man does not live by bread alone but by partaking in every word that comes from the mouth of God (Deut. 8:3).
Keener finds Luke 10:38-42 “challenges the role designations for women in the first century;” thus for Christ followers “the role of disciple and future minister of Jesus’ message is more critical than that of homemaker and hostess, and is also open to women.”[3]
The extravagance of the meal for the occasion would always be second to learning from the Teacher, and scaling things back would benefit Martha with the opportunity to learn. Thomas Schreiner puts it this way:
The point of the story is not that a life of contemplation is better than a life of service. Rather, Jesus gently chides Martha because her preparations are too elaborate; she is distracted “by all the preparations” (10:40; literally “much service”), and she is “worried and upset about many things” (10:41). Jesus says that “few things are needed—or indeed only one,” and this stands for the better part that Mary has chosen, namely listening to the word of God. The implication is that Martha, if she would keep the preparations simple, could also listen to Jesus.[4]
The story of Mary and Martha serves as a powerful reminder of the profound significance of being taught by Jesus Christ. By prioritizing His teachings, we find ourselves partaking in the very food that brings everlasting life. May we be inspired by Mary’s example and make a conscious effort to sit at the feet of Jesus, allowing His words to penetrate our hearts and guide our lives. Jesus is the Teacher. We are called to be His disciples. Let us be the disciples who sit at the Teacher’s feet to learn.
— WGN
Notes:
[1] All Scripture cited from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), unless noted.
[2] Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), Lk 10:39.
[3] Keener, Lk 10:38–42.
[4] Thomas Schreiner, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, ed. Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012), 1083.
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