Being and Doing

      Martha had quite a gift.  It could rightly be called “the gift of hospitality”.  In Luke 10:38 Martha is welcoming Jesus into her house.  How beautiful is that, to actually have the opportunity to take care of Jesus.  To welcome him, to cook for him, to serve him; if you have a servant’ heart, this opportunity is a privilege. 

      Enter Mary, in vs.39 she is sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His “word”.  What an amazing word that must have been!

      These two sisters working together is a great picture of completeness as a believer, being and doing.  Martha was serving and Mary was spending time with Jesus and taking Him in.  Both these aspects are essential to the Christian life.  These two sisters seemed to have it down right. 

      Verse 40 states though that Martha was distracted by much serving.  This is an indicator that her vision was off.  She was not at peace in her walk at the moment.  Perhaps feeling that her serving (doing) should be recognized more; or that others (Mary) should be doing the same as she was doing in taking care of Jesus.  She was bothered so much that she then approached Jesus, “Lord do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me.”   

       Not only was her perspective off but she was trying to manipulate Jesus to get her way.  One great aspect of Jesus is that he is never moved by our manipulation, even when we are sincere in the asking.  Instead He tries to expose our motivation to us in order to help us.  “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But only one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

      Jesus was strongly but lovingly telling Martha to sit at His feet and learn of Him; to take Him in and get to know Him.   He wants us to allow Him to reveal to who He is as well as who we are.   Through the process we learn what is needed to change, and grow, and develop as a believer.  Mostly it is to be intimate with Him and to develop our relationship with Him. 

      Many speak today about doing, which is essential as a believer.  This passage though is more about being (in Him).  As we are with Him intimately He can change us and make us more cleansed from within which then allows us to be used more in the doing.    As we grow in the “being” (in Him), we can be more fitful in the doing!

              Working on the being,   Dave