The model of a good wife, mother and daughter of God is in Proverbs 31.
In fact, when one says they are or strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman she is metaphorically saying she wants to be the best Christian woman ever. To be a holy woman.
So why is it, then, that Luke tells the story of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha? Luke 10:38-42
Martha is busy being a good homemaker and a good hostess. She’s prepared the food and is serving it, what’s wrong with that? Isn’t that part of being a Proverbs 31 woman? Taking care of things. Seeing that everything is ready for guests. Especially THIS GUEST. Making sure everything is in order and just right. Perhaps making Jesus favorite foods. Dusting and sweeping and arranging and de-cluttering and making sure the cat is out, the dog doesn’t bark, the kids behave, the soup doesn’t boil over and the pillows are fluffed.
I can relate. When guests are coming I make extra effort to spit-shine the house and set a pretty table. My thoughts are on the food, the matching napkins, the emptied trash, there’s no bad fruit in the fruit bowl. I get it.
Jesus had arrived and was already visiting with Mary. Mary sat down at His feet, not only to listen but to learn. She recognized who He was and knew what He had to say was important. Martha continued to work and fuss over the food and the fixin’s. “..Martha was cumbered about much serving…”
I can just see it because I have done that in the past. Hovered over guests offering more….more food, more drink, can I get you anything else? My son said to me once, “Just come sit down!!”
Mary was taking advantage of the time she had with Jesus. She wanted every scrap of wisdom He could impart to her. He had healed the sick, raised the dead and confounded the elders. What stories He had to tell!!! He was charismatic, charming and people were drawn to Him by droves wanting to be near Him and here He was right in her living room. She wanted to hear every word He uttered, catch every nuance of meaning. No, she was not going to miss one thing He had to offer.
Martha enters the room for the umpteenth time with food choices…she was “much serving”. She “cumbered”. Cumber means to hamper or hinder. She was hindering the conversation. She hampered Mary’s concentration. She interfered with the lessons Jesus came to teach. I can just see Him saying, “No, Martha, I do not want anymore fish sticks! Now, come. Sit.”
Martha sees Mary sitting there with Jesus and her natural nature feels affronted. Excuse me! I’m doing all the work and you’re relaxing with Jesus! When do I get to sit and talk with Him? When can someone serve ME? She’s reacting with her natural self instead of her spiritual self. She immediately asks Jesus to tell Mary to come help. After all, Martha was doing everything while Mary just sat there. No fair!
“Tell her, Jesus. Tell her to get in here and help me. I’ve been slaving all day and I’m tired and I want to visit with you, too and she’s just being selfish.”
Jesus responded with praise followed by a rebuke: “thou art careful and troubled about many things”.
Jesus said Martha was “careful”. I think this is a compliment to her Proverbs 31 way of life. To the kind of woman she was and the kind of household she ran. It was clean and wholesome and inviting.
But, then He says she is “troubled”. I think Martha was a worrier. She hashed and rehashed things in her mind. Martha was a perfectionist. Everything must be absolutely perfect for Jesus. Martha was focusing on the mundane when the spiritual was right before her. She saw what she perceived to be her womanly duty and was missing the opportunity to learn about the Kingdom.
Martha put the ordinary everyday routine things above the wondrous marvels that Christ could impart. Mary was soaking up the great insights Jesus shared while Martha blundered about making sure crumbs were wiped clean and glasses kept full.
This is not to say that no homework should have been done. Of course, the meal needed planning, preparation and performance. But, when the job is done, be about The Father’s business!! In today’s world that would be doing those things that build the Kingdom of God.
Of course, I believe that keeping your house in order IS building the Kingdom. But, not to the exclusion of priming your spiritual pump. And, by that I mean studying scripture and personal prayer time. This is our equivalent of having Jesus visit us in our homes. Don’t busy yourself with so many mundane chores that you do not have time for Christ.
SCHEDULE time with Him. If you think you don’t have the time…YOU DO!!! I used to think that, too, but the Lord gave me a plan…. Check it out here
I’m fairly certain that they knew Jesus was coming to visit. That He scheduled His time to be there. Mary and Martha had ample time to prepare for His coming. When the house is clean and the food is ready, put down your broom and get out your scriptures. Martha was a wonderful homemaker, and most likely Mary was, too. But, Mary “chose the good part”. She chose to learn of Christ. To learn His Will for her. To learn how to build His Kingdom.
Sisters, choose the good part. Choose to include Christ in your daily life. Listen to what He has to say to you through prayer and scripture study.