Chasing History | Martha

Welcome to Chasing History! This incredible link-up was started by OneGirl! Click the button above to go learn more about this link-up and how it works. Basically you choose a woman of the Bible, read her story, write about her and what that story means to you. It's a pretty great thing and I'm glad to be a part of it. Thanks again to OneGirl! :) 

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First things first. I'm sorry that I'm a day late on this post! But, I'm glad you are here. Enjoy! 

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Characters in our story:

• Martha, meaning "lady" or "mistress." 
• Mary, (I found different meanings) meaning "bitter", "rebellious", or "wished for child."
• Jesus, the Son of God

The main story of these sisters that I will be focusing on is the story of when Jesus visited Martha and Mary at their home in Bethany. 

"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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."" 
Luke 10:38-42


Things Martha did:

• She served
• She opened her house for others to come in
• She let Jesus come in
• She prepared everything 
• She complained (yep, she totally went there)

Things Mary did: 

• She sat at Jesus' feet and listened to His words

Just by looking at the lists of what the two women did, it would seem that Martha accomplished more. She was the one that opened her house and made sure that everything was just perfect for Jesus when He came to their house. But Jesus tells us otherwise. After Martha came up to Him and complained about Mary not helping, Jesus says something that surprises her. Mary has chosen better, he says. Can you imagine what Martha was thinking? Maybe she was shocked that he would say that. After all, she prepared everything for him and all her sister did was sit! Mary didn't help me at all! I've been running around here like a chicken with its head cut off, Martha may have thought, and she  has chosen better??

How often are we Martha? We are running around and making sure everything is just right for the big party. The house is cleaned and the floor vacuumed. All the decorations are up and the gift bags are made. The food is hot and ready for whenever everyone sits at the table. The coffee is hot and the desserts are looking fantastic! 

We run around doing all these things, but Jesus says that really only one thing is needed. 

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed..."


Some versions may say "but few things are needed -- or only one". What is this one thing that Jesus was talking about? 

For me, I think He was telling us that we need to only make sure that we have allowed room for Him. That we are open and ready to have him come in and speak to us. In order to do that, we have to worry less that everything is perfect and instead focus our hearts and minds on the Lord and get ready for Him to speak. 

We just need to be willing. Willing to stop everything, sit at His feet and listen. 


How often we worry that we have so much to accomplish, that our to-do list is five miles long, that clothes need to be ironed, dinner needs to be cooked, the dog needs a bath, the kids need to pick a book for a book report due tomorrow, and our work report is due on Friday. Yes, our lives are busy and things need to happen. But we can't forget to take time to stop and just listen to Jesus. Those moments are where we can truly breathe and relax. We can rest in His arms and listen as He speaks new life back into us. 

"Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her..."

His words strengthen us to continue on for another day. We can't continue to be so busy that we miss out on the opportunities to visit with our Lord. 

Let's choose the better.