Mary and Martha

Colt told us that one of the exercises that can help us in our meditation of Scripture is to place ourselves in the characters of Scripture and to try and think and feel what they are experiencing. For homework, Colt had us turn to Luke 10:38-42 and imagine that we were Martha and then Mary. He then asked, “Which of the two do you most identify with?” and concluded with “Allow the story and your involvement with the story lead you into prayer. This is what I experienced:

Martha: When I invited Jesus over, I did not expect Him to bring His disciples—all 12 of them! Instead of spending a nice quiet afternoon with Jesus, I now have to make preparations for a party. This is not what I had in mind. Look at them— Men! Twelve big, strong, able bodied men! And do they even care? Not one of them is willing lift a finger to help. Not only that, not one of them even has a clue of what I am going through and the stress level that I have. I don’t know why Jesus doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t He see how much work there is to do and the burden that I carry? Besides, I am sure that these 12 guys have heard Jesus’ message before. And I don’t believe this—look at Mary! She’s not doing anything either! This is not fair! This is not right! I just have to say something. “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

Mary: There was an aura about Him, when Jesus walked into our home. I was totally spellbound by Him. When He spoke, His words had so much authority it commanded my attention and I hung on His every word. His words were filled with grace and truth and as He spoke it was as if springs of living water were welling up inside of me, ready to gush forth. His words had life, and the more He spoke, the more His words burned within me. I was so captured by Him that I was unaware of anything else. I did not see Martha’s frenzy and frustration. That’s why I was totally stunned when Martha interrupted Jesus and screamed, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

My prayer: Lord, thank You for allowing me to see myself in others. Lord, help me not to be so busy with Your work that I neglect You. Lord, help me not to be so spiritually minded that I am of no earthly good. In Jesus Name, Amen!