On Line Bible Study - For the Week November 8-14, 2010
Lesson 465
Luke 10: 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
This well-known story is found only in Luke, and some scholars doubt its authenticity because of that fact. But the main thrust of the story is consistent with Jesus' teaching elsewhere about what is important and what is not. (See, for example, Matthew 6:19-21, 25-34.) If ever there is a timely season of the year to hear this story with regard to the "chosen portion", it is the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas!. We all will be tempted (and many will succumb) to sacrifice the better part of the season at the altar of Walmart, Toys R Us, or Amazon.com.
(An interesting story is airing on NPR's Morning Edition regarding siblings. It might say as much about the differing temperaments of these two sisters as it does about what is truly important that one sits listening while the other busies herself in the kitchen.)
In the previous section we have learned of the importance of love of neighbor (The Good Samaritan). Now we are shown the importance of being firmly and securely grounded in the teachings of Jesus. As important as serving others is, the Christian life is constructed on our love for God and our willingness to listen to Christ.
As unexpected as it was that the Samaritan would be the one who responded to the need of the man robbed and beaten, so it is unusual that we would find a woman in the position of the disciple at the feet of the master. In this regard Luke is filled with surprises - the gospel draws ever-expanding circles suggesting that God means to leave no one out. Martha's comment to Jesus betrays an assumption that not only she, but her sister - and perhaps all women - best serve in the kitchen. That Mary has chosen "what is better", and that Jesus refuses to deny what she has chosen, suggests a priority on attentive listening that must not be neglected.
If anyone thought that a woman's work was completely defined by housework, this text suggests something quite different.
What is expected of you during this season? Is what is expected consistent with what is best? Who are we trying to please? Do we have the discipline to withstand the assumptions, criticisms and pressures that will work to deny us the "better portion"? Only one thing is needed, and this story makes the point that what we need will probably not be found just because we are busy.
(An interesting story is airing on NPR's Morning Edition regarding siblings. It might say as much about the differing temperaments of these two sisters as it does about what is truly important that one sits listening while the other busies herself in the kitchen.)
In the previous section we have learned of the importance of love of neighbor (The Good Samaritan). Now we are shown the importance of being firmly and securely grounded in the teachings of Jesus. As important as serving others is, the Christian life is constructed on our love for God and our willingness to listen to Christ.
As unexpected as it was that the Samaritan would be the one who responded to the need of the man robbed and beaten, so it is unusual that we would find a woman in the position of the disciple at the feet of the master. In this regard Luke is filled with surprises - the gospel draws ever-expanding circles suggesting that God means to leave no one out. Martha's comment to Jesus betrays an assumption that not only she, but her sister - and perhaps all women - best serve in the kitchen. That Mary has chosen "what is better", and that Jesus refuses to deny what she has chosen, suggests a priority on attentive listening that must not be neglected.
If anyone thought that a woman's work was completely defined by housework, this text suggests something quite different.
What is expected of you during this season? Is what is expected consistent with what is best? Who are we trying to please? Do we have the discipline to withstand the assumptions, criticisms and pressures that will work to deny us the "better portion"? Only one thing is needed, and this story makes the point that what we need will probably not be found just because we are busy.
posted by Mark D at 1:26 PM
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