Mary And Martha
by
Donald G. Hayter
WHAT A DELIGHTFUL CAMEO of truth is given us in the record regarding Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus! Each of these two women represents character types familiar to all of us. Regrettably there are many more Marthas than Marys, though both fill their place in the world.
Martha was a busy, bustling, domestic woman, whose home and hospitality were her pride. On one of the days of her life she was entertaining the Lord in her home, providing Him with a meal. He was not alone, and the company may have been large for her home. Martha busied herself in her preparations for the meal, hurrying around the house in her anxiety to do justice to her honoured Guest.
Meanwhile, as she was occupied so industriously in her duties, her sister Mary was inactive, seated at the feet of the Lord, merely listening to His discourse. Now Martha, flustered and agitated by the many calls on her attention, became the more distracted at seeing Mary doing nothing to help her. So distraught was she that she asked the Lord to speak to her sister that she may be aiding her. She even appeared to be chiding the Lord when she said, "Lord, art Thou not caring that my sister left me to serve alone?" But the Lord saw into the hearts of the sisters and gently reproved Martha. "Martha, Martha," He said, "You are worrying and in a tumult about many things. Yet of few is there need or of one."
Martha had not learned to discriminate between the things that mattered and those of which there was no need or less need. The meal had some importance, but compared with the opportunity of hearing the living words of the Lord it became an unnecessary intrusion. Mary had chosen the good part, and the Lord saw that it was not wrested from her. She filled an unobtrusive, quiet role that received less acclaim from men, in fact, might even be condemned by most. But she valued the Lord's words more highly than food, and this was the spirit that the Lord was commending.
Martha was a busy, active person, much more readily understood by her associates. She showed her character again later when her brother Lazarus had died. When she heard that the Lord was on His way to her home, she immediately went out to meet Him. She left Mary alone in the house. Mary awaited the Lord's call. Immediately she learned that the Lord had summoned her she was roused swiftly and came to Him. Again she waited on His word. She knew that to obey is better than sacrifice. The word of the Lord was to her more precious than all her efforts and work.
There are lessons to be learned from both sisters, but our highest endeavour should be to imitate Mary, and be seated at the feet of the Lord listening and obeying His word. There is a promise attached to this endeavour, which is as true to-day as when it was first uttered to Martha -- this good part shall not be wrested from us.