Devotion: Martha
Martha
Please review the scripture from the weekend: Luke 10:38-42
My previous interpretation of Martha and Mary’s story was pretty literal; that while there is always work to be done, spending time with one another in fellowship and learning is more important. While that interpretation isn’t necessarily wrong, it didn’t satisfy me this time around. Specifically, Jesus saying “there is need of only one thing,” when looked at through my previous interpretation, makes it sound like the work Martha was doing wasn’t needed at all. That didn’t feel right to me, so I did more reflection on these verses and, after listening to Pastor Greg’s sermon, found a newer conclusion that I find more satisfying.
As we know, Martha worked while Mary sat in a disciple’s position at Jesus’ feet. But Martha wasn’t incorrect to be working. Where she went wrong was letting her tasks cause her to worry and lose focus on Jesus. In John 15:5, Jesus says “Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit because apart from me you can do nothing.” Whether we are serving, learning, teaching, spending time in fellowship, or doing any of the other necessary work that comes with being a Christian, if our focus isn’t on Christ, that work will amount to nothing.
And that is the “one thing” of which Jesus says there is need. Centering Him. If Martha had had Christ as her focus while working, she wouldn’t have become so worried. And, in her learning at Jesus’ feet, if Mary had been distracted by other concerns and worries, she would have had to learn the same lesson as Martha. The difference between the two sisters was not in their actions, but in the focus of their actions. We may have times when we all relate to Martha in that. The world is such a busy place and we all get caught up in our tasks and commitments, leading to distraction and worry. But if Jesus is at the center of everything we’re doing, whatever that may be, we’ve got the one thing we need to bear good fruit.
Holy God, when we get caught up in our worries and distractions, give us the same gentle reminder You gave Martha, that the one thing we need is a focus on You, and everything else flows from that. Thank you for these reminders and for examples of disciples like Mary, who put You at the center of everything. Amen.
Written by Preston Thiemann
Preston Thiemann and his wife, Rachel, live here in Lincoln. He is the Web Content Coordinator for the ASEM Marketing team at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he’s worked since April 2015. At Sheridan, he also plays guitar with the Praise Band and is active in Sheridan’s 20s & 30s group called Second Quarter. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, watching movies and spending time with friends.