Wednesday – Marsha, Marsha, Marsha!
New Testament: Luke 10:41
Old Testament: Psalm 46:10
If you’ve ever seen me ten minutes before church, you already know. I’m watching. I’m scanning the room, noticing what’s happening—or not happening.
I see the details. I feel the weight of what needs to come together. And if it’s not perfect? That’s when the typical me kicks in.
I want things to be just right—for everyone to feel welcome, for things to flow seamlessly, for the distractions to disappear. In my world, the Worship Experience that EVERYONE has is my priority for Sunday. Ok - I said it.... there it is.
But, in that moment, I often forget to be the version of myself that I know I should be—the one who loves people and flows with the chaos. – The one that is supposed to preach a sermon in 32 minutes and not run past 11 if we can.... I'm good at shifting gears - but I am focused up to the very last moment on how well are we allowing God to be in our Worship today? I want everything to be the best that I am capable of doing...
Martha’s story? It feels like my story.
Historical Context
We talked already about Martha’s world, where hospitality wasn’t just a nice gesture—it was a sacred duty. To host a guest, especially someone like Jesus, was an honor. It was about more than food and comfort; it was about showing care and respect in the highest form.
I know we mentioned this yesterday, but I feel the need to drive the point home - else you think Martha is bad. When Martha opens her home to Jesus, she’s doing exactly what her culture expects of her.
She’s fulfilling her role, working hard to make everything just right. She is blameless in this story – rest in that for a moment!
All we get today is – 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things…”
But here’s the thing I need to stress: in her desire to serve, Martha becomes overwhelmed. Her busyness blinds her to what’s most important. Anyone beside me guilty of this?
She gets frustrated—not just with Mary for - whatever.... But with – WHO else?
She shows frustration with Jesus for not stepping in to fix HER problem. – Anyone else ever do that? Get frustrated with Jesus - be honest!
What did she say yesterday - “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
I suggested she was distracting from the misogyny in the room – not by Jesus, but Lukes context of prevailing culture - and I stick with that explanation.
Look - you can you hear the frustration in her voice?
Martha isn’t just asking for help—she’s demanding that Jesus take her side. She assumes she’s right.
Hmm – anyone ever try to tell Jesus He has to be on your side? – How did that work out?
What does Jesus say?
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.”
His words aren’t dismissive—they’re an invitation.
What strikes me about this story isn’t just the contrast between Mary and Martha—it’s the way Jesus meets Martha in her anxiety.
Luke is not telling a story about Mary (he’s positing her for later) this is all about Martha!
Jesus doesn’t dismiss Martha's feelings, or tell her to stop caring about the work she’s doing.
Instead, He speaks her name twice, inviting her to pause and listen.
Here is the key point today - Jesus Invites her in!
I wonder how often I miss moments like this. Being invited in.
How often am I so caught up in my tasks, my worries, and my plans that I don’t hear Jesus calling my name? (As an aside - my time at the rail before worship starts - is when I try to reclaim the moment - as God's moment - to work through me.)
How often does the Holy Spirit try to get my attention - outside church —not to rebuke me, but to remind me of what matters most?
When I think about the times God has called my name—whether through Scripture, prayer, or even a quiet nudge in my heart—it’s ALWAYS been an invitation to realign my focus.
ALWAYS!
An invitation to spend a moment with Him - to let go of what’s distracting me and step into something deeper.
And the truth is, I need that reminder more often than I’d like to admit.
Actually - I'd really like that invitation all the time!
What does Martha do with the double Martha – Martha? Luke intentionally does not tell us.
Why? So we can be in the story with them...
If you’re Martha, like me in this story, how does this story change your relationship with Jesus. – If you are Mary – how about you?
If you are another person watching or hearing the story – today - or reading it in the year 65A.D. – how does it impact your understanding of how scripture works!
Every scripture is ALWAYS about You - and your relationship with God!
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for the way You call my name—even when I’m distracted, anxious, or overwhelmed. Thank You for seeing me, knowing me, and loving me enough to speak into my life.
Help me to hear Your voice today. When I get caught up in the “many things,” remind me to pause and listen. Teach me to trust that what matters most isn’t what I do, but who I am in You.
May I never miss the moments when You call my name. And may my response always be to draw closer to You.
Amen.
New Testament: Luke 10:41
Old Testament: Psalm 46:10
If you’ve ever seen me ten minutes before church, you already know. I’m watching. I’m scanning the room, noticing what’s happening—or not happening.
I see the details. I feel the weight of what needs to come together. And if it’s not perfect? That’s when the typical me kicks in.
I want things to be just right—for everyone to feel welcome, for things to flow seamlessly, for the distractions to disappear. In my world, the Worship Experience that EVERYONE has is my priority for Sunday. Ok - I said it.... there it is.
But, in that moment, I often forget to be the version of myself that I know I should be—the one who loves people and flows with the chaos. – The one that is supposed to preach a sermon in 32 minutes and not run past 11 if we can.... I'm good at shifting gears - but I am focused up to the very last moment on how well are we allowing God to be in our Worship today? I want everything to be the best that I am capable of doing...
Martha’s story? It feels like my story.
Historical Context
We talked already about Martha’s world, where hospitality wasn’t just a nice gesture—it was a sacred duty. To host a guest, especially someone like Jesus, was an honor. It was about more than food and comfort; it was about showing care and respect in the highest form.
I know we mentioned this yesterday, but I feel the need to drive the point home - else you think Martha is bad. When Martha opens her home to Jesus, she’s doing exactly what her culture expects of her.
She’s fulfilling her role, working hard to make everything just right. She is blameless in this story – rest in that for a moment!
All we get today is – 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things…”
But here’s the thing I need to stress: in her desire to serve, Martha becomes overwhelmed. Her busyness blinds her to what’s most important. Anyone beside me guilty of this?
She gets frustrated—not just with Mary for - whatever.... But with – WHO else?
She shows frustration with Jesus for not stepping in to fix HER problem. – Anyone else ever do that? Get frustrated with Jesus - be honest!
What did she say yesterday - “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
I suggested she was distracting from the misogyny in the room – not by Jesus, but Lukes context of prevailing culture - and I stick with that explanation.
Look - you can you hear the frustration in her voice?
Martha isn’t just asking for help—she’s demanding that Jesus take her side. She assumes she’s right.
Hmm – anyone ever try to tell Jesus He has to be on your side? – How did that work out?
What does Jesus say?
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.”
His words aren’t dismissive—they’re an invitation.
What strikes me about this story isn’t just the contrast between Mary and Martha—it’s the way Jesus meets Martha in her anxiety.
Luke is not telling a story about Mary (he’s positing her for later) this is all about Martha!
Jesus doesn’t dismiss Martha's feelings, or tell her to stop caring about the work she’s doing.
Instead, He speaks her name twice, inviting her to pause and listen.
Here is the key point today - Jesus Invites her in!
I wonder how often I miss moments like this. Being invited in.
How often am I so caught up in my tasks, my worries, and my plans that I don’t hear Jesus calling my name? (As an aside - my time at the rail before worship starts - is when I try to reclaim the moment - as God's moment - to work through me.)
How often does the Holy Spirit try to get my attention - outside church —not to rebuke me, but to remind me of what matters most?
When I think about the times God has called my name—whether through Scripture, prayer, or even a quiet nudge in my heart—it’s ALWAYS been an invitation to realign my focus.
ALWAYS!
An invitation to spend a moment with Him - to let go of what’s distracting me and step into something deeper.
And the truth is, I need that reminder more often than I’d like to admit.
Actually - I'd really like that invitation all the time!
What does Martha do with the double Martha – Martha? Luke intentionally does not tell us.
Why? So we can be in the story with them...
If you’re Martha, like me in this story, how does this story change your relationship with Jesus. – If you are Mary – how about you?
If you are another person watching or hearing the story – today - or reading it in the year 65A.D. – how does it impact your understanding of how scripture works!
Every scripture is ALWAYS about You - and your relationship with God!
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for the way You call my name—even when I’m distracted, anxious, or overwhelmed. Thank You for seeing me, knowing me, and loving me enough to speak into my life.
Help me to hear Your voice today. When I get caught up in the “many things,” remind me to pause and listen. Teach me to trust that what matters most isn’t what I do, but who I am in You.
May I never miss the moments when You call my name. And may my response always be to draw closer to You.
Amen.
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1 Comment
This one is so me, too. You guys know me.
nAnd it's confusing because last week the “doing” was so important. “Go and do”, “ Do this…” Jesus tells us that too. So this story is cautionary to not let the doing become what we worship. Ah-ha!