Pastor Jim Jackson

Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church

Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, drinking in all the spiritual nectar her soul could accommodate. Apparently she was the more quiet one, the contemplative one. But don’t think she didn’t have spunk. After all, she joined her sister in protesting to Jesus on the occasion of their brother Lazarus’ death: “If you had been here, my brother had not died.” Then here she is with Jesus as a guest in her house. She wasn’t much concerned about their meal.

After all, Martha was the “ants in your pants” one of the two. So we aren’t surprised that Martha was presently more concerned about what her family and their special guest would have for a meal. Like many of us “ants in your pants” types, she was beginning to feel some resentment for having all the kitchen responsibility while Mary was filling her soul. Didn’t Mary realize that someone had to fix the meal and that, that someone needn’t be Martha all by herself. Hot kitchens have a way of warming one’s emotions as well.

After all, bodies need feeding just like the soul.

So Martha, busy with “much serving, came to Jesus and said: Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”

Jesus’ response to Martha confirms without a doubt that she was the “ants in your pants” type: “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” Doesn’t that sound like someone you know, meaning yourself at times?

Now don’t lie to the preacher!

Anyhow, Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the good part, nurturing her soul at Jesus’ feet. And furthermore he told her that it would not be taken from her.

So what? On behalf of Mary, that time we spend with our Lord is something that is superior even to labor and food; for when Jesus nurtures our soul, it cannot be taken away. Yet in the meantime, we need to eat.

So worship is our most important source of personal nurture. Yet eating has its important place also. You will remember that rather than turning the hungry crowd away, Jesus fed them from the little boy’s lunch.

What is the takeaway? Worship is essential for the soul, even as food is essential to the body. Seems to me we owe a debt of gratitude to Mary in regard to worship. That’s most important. And thanks to Martha also, for without her type, we would go to church hungry. That’s important too.

I say, “keep your seat Mary,” but please don’t ask Martha to leave the kitchen until we’ve all eaten, for after all, work is a kind of worship also done unto our Lord.