The Sheepish Scribe

In my last post, I mention that my main character is a "Martha". Perhaps not everyone is familiar with that reference. The story of Martha and her sister, Mary, is told in the Bible in Luke 10:38-42.

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

I admire Mary. She glued herself to the feet of Christ and soaked up His presence. She served Him with her quiet devotion.

I like Martha. She is the one in this story who I can relate to. She fully recognized Jesus for who He was. (That is made clear in other passages.) She showed her devotion by doing, by preparing and serving the meal to Jesus. Was that wrong? No!

Jesus did not reprimand her for doing. He reprimanded her for whining. Dang. Those of us who serve the Lord by doing need to remember that. We need to serve and do without whining.