Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 12:08:13 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Jan. 9); BP: Lk. 10:38-42; RBTTY: Mt. 7; Gen. 23-24
January 9 "Martha, Martha"
"But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me.’ And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful—and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her’."
Luke 10:40-42
Resting is better than fretting and soaking in is better than stewing over.
We don’t know that much about her; but, what we do know speaks volumes.
Martha, whose name means "lady, mistress," was one of the two sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (Jn. 11:1-44). And, it’s clear from today’s Manna that she was likely a Type A, obsessive-compulsive, workaholic-type individual.
Or, perhaps we should say she was a hard-working, industrious individual with great initiative, who thrived on meeting needs and making sure everything was in order before she sat down and kicked back.
Regardless, one thing was clear: Jesus’ duplication of her name ("Martha, Martha") is a clear rebuke to her for both her incessant activity and her insistent attitude. Likewise, His comparison of her "cumbered (Grk. ‘perispao’—‘to drag around, to be distracted by care, etc.’), careful (Grk. ‘merimnao’—‘to be anxious about, worried, etc.’) and troubled (Grk. ‘thorubazo’—‘to be bothered by, to be in a tumult, clamor over, etc.’)" demeanor to Mary's sets the stage for His teaching.
Again, today’s Manna coupled with her actions in Jn. 11:20-27 reveals much about Martha. There’s no doubt she was a "take charge" individual. If you wanted to get a job done, Martha was the "go-to girl." In both stories she’s the one leading the charge on confrontation and criticism—both of her sister (Lk. 10:40) and Jesus (Jn. 11:21). And, it’s clear in these verbal indictments that the sins of pride and resentment are quite present within her.
We can almost hear her now clanging around in the kitchen, trying to get the table set . . . making sure the roast doesn’t burn. . .insuring the plates, silverware and glasses were clean, etc. But, the heat from the oven wasn’t any hotter than the steam from her soul. And, like so many of her temperament (male and female), she vented her anger by some pretty barbed words.
Most likely, Jesus’ rebuke wasn’t a stern one, for He knew "a soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger" (Prov. 15:1). Yes, most likely, His words were quiet and gentle: "Martha, Martha—you’re stressing yourself out. You’ve worked yourself up into a tizzy. . .sweat pouring. . .mashed potatoes flying. . .pots banging. . . when all I came here for was a visit, not a 10-course meal. Mary hasn’t abandoned you or demonstrating her lazy side. She’s simply communing with Me. And, isn’t that more important than anything else right now? Sit down. Take a load off. Rest a while and be renewed." Pilgrim, is this message for you today?
"But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her, therefore, that she help me.’ And Jesus answered and said unto her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful—and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her’."
Luke 10:40-42
Resting is better than fretting and soaking in is better than stewing over.
We don’t know that much about her; but, what we do know speaks volumes.
Martha, whose name means "lady, mistress," was one of the two sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (Jn. 11:1-44). And, it’s clear from today’s Manna that she was likely a Type A, obsessive-compulsive, workaholic-type individual.
Or, perhaps we should say she was a hard-working, industrious individual with great initiative, who thrived on meeting needs and making sure everything was in order before she sat down and kicked back.
Regardless, one thing was clear: Jesus’ duplication of her name ("Martha, Martha") is a clear rebuke to her for both her incessant activity and her insistent attitude. Likewise, His comparison of her "cumbered (Grk. ‘perispao’—‘to drag around, to be distracted by care, etc.’), careful (Grk. ‘merimnao’—‘to be anxious about, worried, etc.’) and troubled (Grk. ‘thorubazo’—‘to be bothered by, to be in a tumult, clamor over, etc.’)" demeanor to Mary's sets the stage for His teaching.
Again, today’s Manna coupled with her actions in Jn. 11:20-27 reveals much about Martha. There’s no doubt she was a "take charge" individual. If you wanted to get a job done, Martha was the "go-to girl." In both stories she’s the one leading the charge on confrontation and criticism—both of her sister (Lk. 10:40) and Jesus (Jn. 11:21). And, it’s clear in these verbal indictments that the sins of pride and resentment are quite present within her.
We can almost hear her now clanging around in the kitchen, trying to get the table set . . . making sure the roast doesn’t burn. . .insuring the plates, silverware and glasses were clean, etc. But, the heat from the oven wasn’t any hotter than the steam from her soul. And, like so many of her temperament (male and female), she vented her anger by some pretty barbed words.
Most likely, Jesus’ rebuke wasn’t a stern one, for He knew "a soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger" (Prov. 15:1). Yes, most likely, His words were quiet and gentle: "Martha, Martha—you’re stressing yourself out. You’ve worked yourself up into a tizzy. . .sweat pouring. . .mashed potatoes flying. . .pots banging. . . when all I came here for was a visit, not a 10-course meal. Mary hasn’t abandoned you or demonstrating her lazy side. She’s simply communing with Me. And, isn’t that more important than anything else right now? Sit down. Take a load off. Rest a while and be renewed." Pilgrim, is this message for you today?
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