Mary and Martha – Luke 10:38-42

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.  But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus Calms the Storm – Mark 4:35-41

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling.  But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”  And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?”  And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

If you are anything like me, you may doubt, at times, if those around you really care about you or perhaps if God even cares about the various situations you find yourself in.  Apparently, this yearning for others to care and questioning if God cares was also evident in Martha’s heart, as well as the disciples.  In both of the passages above, Martha and the disciples are questioning if the Lord really cares for them. Surely, Martha thought, if Jesus truly cared, he would not allow Mary to do nothing while she was left alone doing all the food preparations, nor would Jesus allow the disciples to potentially perish in the midst of the storm, if he cared.  I love how Jesus responds in both of these situations.

When responding to Martha, who was clearly overwhelmed with the many tasks at hand, Jesus displayed gentleness and kindness, but also highlighted what is truly important.  I picture the audience in the house watching, with much anticipation, how Jesus would respond to this woman who had just interrupted his teaching.   For her to barge into a room, the majority of whom where likely men, exposing her frustration toward Mary, not only would have gone against many cultural norms, but also illustrates how desperate she was. But, I think Jesus certainly saw that her intentions were good – just wanting Mary’s help preparing the best feast possible for him and the others.   He does not snap at her nor does he seem annoyed by the interruption.  However, he does make it abundantly clear that although there are many things that one can be worried or anxious about, there is only ONE thing that is best. The important thing is sitting at the feet of Jesus, loving Him.  It is not about all the things that we do.  Our value is not in what we do.  It is about Him.  I am struck by his response to Martha’s questioning if he cares…ONE thing – abiding in Him – is the good portion.  Not many things, ONE thing.

Then, when responding to the disciples, who were also questioning if he cares since he was sleeping in the midst of a deadly storm, Jesus immediately calms the winds and the sea.  I picture the guys, at least four of which were experienced fishermen, I believe, likely trying every strategy they had use in the past when faced with storms, yet nothing seemed to work and death seemed imminent.  They could have woken Jesus at the first hint of danger, as the wind was beginning to toss the boat to and fro, but instead, they appeared to do everything they knew before finally going down into the stern and waking Jesus.  I wonder, why did they wait so long before going to Him?  I also noticed, prior to even getting on the boat, the disciples did not question Jesus about setting sail to the “other side,” even though it was not common practice to set sail at night.  It is interesting that they initially trusted Him enough and were willing to take the risk of getting into the boat, at night, heading to an unknown destination.  We see that they listened and obeyed, even though it was risky and they did not know what was coming in the future.  This faith and obedience led to them witnessing an incredible miracle – the Creator controlling his creation by his words alone.  Are we willing to obey and trust God, even it is means we may face danger? Or may not know much about where we are heading

These two stories have really been pressed upon my heart over the past couple of weeks, and there are so many different lessons I can learn from these two narratives.  But, I keep coming back to the idea of God’s care for me.  For us.  Last week my eyes were opened afresh to the reality how much He cares.  God cares so much, and loves so perfectly, that He sent his precious Son, for me.  For you.

Andrea, Of COURSE God cares; he has given you His Son – salvation.

Then today, as I was walking, I saw Christmas with a renewed perspective.  God’s perfect love and genuine care displayed in given us the most precious gift, his son, who eventually died on the cross, for me, and you.  Yes, my heart still struggles and experiences many moments of sadness being away from family and friends this Christmas season.  Yes, I do find it hard seeing the things I cannot participate in this season, which I have enjoyed in the past.  Yes, I do miss hearing Christmas music as I walk into stores, and the decorations that hang in windows and from lampstands lining the streets.  And yes, “woe as me” moments do creep into my heart, too.  BUT, ultimately, He cares so deeply, that he has given his son – the greatest gift this world has ever received.  He cares so much more than my feeble mind can really even comprehend.  He cares, a lot.