The account of the time when Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha is a familiar story to many Bible-readers (Luke 10.38-42). The sisters respond to Jesus’ visit differently: Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to him teach, and Martha gets busy making “preparations” for the guest. When Martha notices her sister just sitting with Jesus while she does all the work herself, she complains to Jesus and tells him to tell Mary to help her.
The gospel-writer Luke describes Martha’s action as being “distracted.” And Jesus’ response to Martha’s complaint confirms it: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42 HCSB).
The immediate reference, of course, is to all the tasks Martha felt she had to do to serve her guest. Her service to the Lord—what she wanted to offer him—had become more important than what the Lord desired. This was a distraction from the things that really mattered to Jesus. This is an important truth that every follower of Christ must always keep in mind.
Recently, I came across this thought: Martha’s “distraction” wasn’t only her busyness but also her critical spirit against Mary who, in her opinion, was not doing as she was doing. This adds a new dimension to understanding the nature of Martha’s distraction. The “many things” that distracted Martha were not just the tasks that needed doing but also included her attitude and mindset that kept her from discerning what Jesus really wanted.
Indeed, my devotion and service to the Lord can be “distracted” when I pay too much attention to what other people are or are not doing, or even to the spiritual maturity of those with whom I am serving. I can become discouraged and critical of others, thinking I am the only one doing what needs to be done. And I may just end up not doing what I really am supposed to be doing, what the Lord has assigned to me, yet blaming it on the “others” who I think are not doing their part.
Then, again, I may become overwhelmed by the awesome work someone else is doing that I begin to think that what I have to offer is insignificant or unimportant. This, too, is a distraction.
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load” (Galatians 6.4–5 NIV).
—Keith Y. Jainga