(And the Tender Rebuke She Received)
Imagine welcoming Jesus, the Son of God, into your home. Instead of a lovely hostess gift of beautifully arranged flowers, He brings to the gathering divine wisdom and peace. Instead of basking in His presence, you find yourself caught up and overwhelmed with tasks, your mind racing with anxieties, and your heart burdened by endless responsibilities. Your sister, on the other hand, sits serenely at the feet of Jesus, absorbing His every word.
This was the reality of Martha in the Bible, and it mirrors the struggle many Christian women face today: balancing the demands of life with the need for spiritual nourishment and the call to deepen our relationship with God. As we delve into the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10:38–42, we’ll uncover five lessons from the tender rebuke and loving guidance from Jesus that invites us to choose the “better part” and prioritize what truly matters along our walk with Him.
The Story of Martha and Mary
Jesus and His disciples came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to them. Martha’s first-born tendencies kicked in shortly after their arrival, when she became overwhelmed with her attempt to single-handedly fulfill the responsibilities of hosting more than a dozen famished men. She had a sister named Mary, who was well aware of the cultural norms of hospitality. Instead of helping Martha, Mary chose to sit at Jesus’s feet, listening to His teaching. Martha’s frustration and piercing glares toward her sister went unacknowledged, so Martha interrupted Jesus’ teaching and asked Him to intervene, to which He responded with a gentle yet profound rebuke.
Allow me to interject that the term “rebuke” refers to sharp criticism of one’s behavior or actions. In this story, however, we see the demonstration of a compassionate reprimand that is more of a reproval, or a kind correction to a wrong as Merriam-Webster describes. This story invites us to reflect deeper on our own priorities and spiritual practices as we consider several important lessons we can learn on navigating the tension between service and devotion.
Lesson One: Walk in the Discipline of God’s Rebuke
Martha’s busyness and frustrated plea for Jesus’ intervention was met with a loving correction. Clearly Martha assumed Jesus would tell Mary, “Get up woman! Get in the kitchen with your sister. You don’t belong here seated among the men.” Instead, He replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary” (Luke 10: 41–42). Jesus’ gentle rebuke, calling her name twice, was an invitation for Martha to reassess her priorities and reorient her focus from her tasks to His presence. While Martha’s busyness, though well-intentioned, distracted her from the spiritual nourishment available in Jesus’ presence, His gracious response is a reminder for us all to pause and reflect on our own spiritual priorities.
This story teaches us that God’s discipline is a guiding hand, gently steering us back to what truly matters. God’s discipline is not meant for us to feel shame; rather, it’s an expression of His love and care for us as He guides us back to Him. In Psalm 23, we see the Lord as our Shepherd, guiding us beside still waters and restoring our souls. This image of a shepherd correcting and directing his sheep parallels Jesus’ words to Martha. When we allow ourselves to be led by God’s discipline, we find rest and spiritual refreshment in Him.
Lesson Two: Respond to Jesus’ Tender Exhortation
In our lives, it is easy to get distracted by our daily responsibilities. Martha’s story is a gentle reminder that Jesus cares deeply about our well-being. Jesus’ response to Martha was filled with compassion and comfort. He acknowledged her worries and troubles, but gently redirected her focus to find comfort and joy in His presence. Jesus’ words do not dismiss Martha’s valid concerns. Instead, His words display His invitation to bring our anxiety to Him, where he exchanges our cares with His peace and support.
Psalm 94:19 echoes this sentiment: “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Jesus’ words to Martha were not a dismissal of her efforts, but an invitation to find stillness and joy in His presence. This story teaches us the importance of deliberately prioritizing spiritual nourishment and heeding the lessons found within Jesus’ teachings.
Lesson Three: Cultivate a Teachable Heart
From this experience, Jesus is teaching us that when, not if, but when, we find ourselves responding like Martha instead of Mary, we don’t need to be embarrassed. Instead, we need to take a moment and see the addressed thoughts or actions from His perspective. Martha’s experience of correction from Jesus was an opportunity for growth as she learned the importance of having a teachable heart. A teachable heart, open to Jesus’ guidance, is essential for spiritual maturity. To cultivate a teachable heart, we need to have humility and admit when we are wrong, as it demonstrates a desire to grow. Being eager to learn from Jesus requires a willingness to embrace correction and moments of redirection. Jesus presents Martha the opportunity to shift her perspective from the immediate tasks to the eternal value of being with Him.
In a culture that emphasizes productivity and accomplishments, this story emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing spiritual growth over worldly tasks. Mary’s decision to listen to Jesus identifies the importance of nurturing one’s relationship with God. For Christian women, this means making intentional choices to engage in activities that foster spiritual development, such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and being part of a community with other Christian women.
Lesson Four: Prevent Spiritual Stagnation
Martha’s preoccupation with her tasks risked her spiritual stagnation. In contrast, Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen symbolizes the ongoing pursuit of spiritual growth. Preventing spiritual stagnation requires intentionality. To prevent spiritual stagnation, we must regularly seek God’s presence, allowing Him to transform us continually. We must be willing to set aside time to strengthen our spiritual disciplines.
Just as Mary chose the better part, sitting at Jesus’ feet and receiving His teachings, we too must choose to prioritize our spiritual growth over the busyness and never-ending to-do lists in our lives. This involves making a deliberate effort to spend intimate time in the secret place with God. This lesson is reinforced in 2 Corinthians 3:18 which speaks of being transformed into Christ’s image with ever-increasing glory. Those of us who have an “unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord” have willingly made a deliberate effort to spend time allowing God to transform us from the inside out.
Lesson Five: Be Anxious for Nothing
Finally, Martha’s story teaches us the importance of casting our anxieties on Jesus and trusting Him with our concerns. As anxiety often distracts us from our relationship with God, we should replace the time we historically spent worrying about things outside of our control with prayer, thanksgiving, and worship. By bringing our concerns to Him, we can experience His peace, which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
As we work to balance service and devotion, it is essential to understand that while serving others is valuable, it should not come at the expense of our relationship with Christ. By prioritizing time with Jesus, we can find the strength and clarity to serve others more effectively. While our responsibilities and acts of service are important, they should never overshadow our primary calling—to sit at the feet of Jesus and nurture our relationship with Him. In choosing what is better, as Mary did, we find the strength, wisdom, and peace to serve others more effectually and joyfully.
Looking Ahead: How We Should Respond
Remember, the journey of deepening your relationship with God is ongoing. Each step taken in faith brings you closer to His heart and strengthens your ability to serve with love and purpose. Let Martha’s story inspire you to choose the better part, and may you find joy and fulfillment in the presence of your Savior.
As you continue reflecting on the lessons learned from the tender rebuke Martha received, I hope that you are receptive to the authority you have been given by God in your faith journey. Reflecting on Martha and Mary’s responses, you are entrusted to make conscious decisions that enhance your spiritual well-being. Use the lessons from this story to inspire you to seek a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God, which in turn influences every aspect of your life, from your personal relationships to your professional endeavors. Be encouraged to balance service with devotion, prioritize your spiritual growth, manage stress through faith, and continue cultivating a deeper intimacy with God.
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From a troubled past marked by transracial adoption, the loss of a parent, experiencing a traumatic assault, and teen incarceration, A. Margot Blair emerged resilient, refusing to let her hardships define her. Now a respected Bible teacher, leadership consultant, and retreat host, she empowers women at the intersection of faith and leadership, drawing from over a decade of experience, while pursuing a doctorate in Leadership and cherishing her roles as wife to Vincent and mama to her bonus children Esaias and Alyvia, and her preschooler, Luke.