AppNotes

December 17, 2020

As we approach Christmas, with its baking, decorating, and cleaning, this passage is appropriate, on so many levels! If you don’t feel like Martha most of the time, you might feel as overworked and underappreciated as she did, at this time of year. She’s working hard to prepare a meal while her sister sits idly at the feet of Jesus. Might there be some discontent and envy in Martha’s heart? That can make for some messy relationships. Jesus rebukes Martha, but in his correction, he also gives hope. “Take your eyes off your sister, Martha, and just look to me.” I think it’s a lesson Martha learned, for after their brother died but before Jesus raised him from the dead, Martha and Jesus have a private conversation and she learns that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). It’s a lesson we all need to learn, and this lesson is the reason behind Christmas.

Bible Reading

Luke 10:38-42 NIV
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”