Real

Martha and Mary.  I've been both. Sadly, most times I've been acting out a Mary, I was doing it out of self-righteousness and pride. Also, most times I've been a Martha, I've acted out of self-righteousness and pride. I suppose the time has come to stop "acting" like either one and just be myself. Freedom to behave out of what I feel and think and want and for all those things to be aligned with God's will for me - that's what I want. As for the ladies, they served a purpose that day for Jesus to show us some neat concepts necessary for freedom. This may have been a one-time-deal, and the next week, Mary probably did the opposite :)

I think back on this encounter with Jesus, and wonder if after He rebuked Martha, and commended Mary - there wasn't probably some familiar things going on:

• Martha is angry because the Teacher did not agree with what she was doing; He did not side with her in rebuking Mary, but turned the rebuke back on her.
• Mary is gloating because the Teacher commended her for spending time with Him; she feels secure because He knows her desires; He wants to be with her too and Mary is happy her sister does not have the last word in telling her what to do this time, because He overrode it. 

I wonder what happened between the sisters later? All the fighting and the bringing back up of past mistakes and remember whens? Ahh... the reality of it all.

As Solomon said, there is a time for everything under heaven. "There is a time to cook and prepare, Martha", and a time to hang out and enjoy each others company.  If neither cooked, they would both enjoy the company of Jesus and who knows, as they got hungry - He may have produced more fish and bread, maybe even cheese and wine too!  The food would have been taken care of. I'm pretty sure of that.
The greatest thing I take from this very real story is a lesson: we live to please Him, not people. When we live to please Him, a lot of people will get offended and we have to shake that off. But, when we listen to Him, a lot of people will benefit from our obedience as well. In the end, the benefits outweigh the offenses, because those people once offended will come back around and see the difference.

This takes me back to people pleasing. Basically, Jesus affirming Mary's actions, showed her that she did not have to work hard to please Martha anymore, she can obey her heart's desire and be with Him - as this is also His will - for her to abide.  Being sure what Jesus' will is, Mary probably gloated with delight when He stood up for her and fought her sister on her behalf. She was filled with joy that the Guest of Honor, the Teacher, wanted to spend time with her rather than wanting something from her - to fill His belly and be pampered.  He just wanted her. This must have validated Mary and made her feel important, recognized, cared for, appreciated for who she is rather that what she does, and justified. She must have felt united with the LORD, forgiven, accepted and free from all charges against her. She must have felt as she were seated with Jesus in the heavenly realm, that nothing could separate them, as she found unprecedented grace and mercy. It would be great to feel this way and more importantly to be sure God feels this way about us so that we not just feel like this - we know beyond doubt we are beloved and accepted, justified and set apart, blameless in His sight. Jesus is the rightful Heir, the only begotten Son of God - but we are adopted. God chose us before the foundation of the world so that we would be holy and blameless before Him. He chose us! He wanted us! He predestined us! He called us! He justified and glorified us! This is Good News!

I hope Martha saw this and learned from it. I hope we do too.  It's not what we do - it's who we are. When our identity is secure in Him, what people want from us does not drive us. Who we want to be with - does.  We no longer feel obligated to please others so they are content with us and their world is left undisturbed. We launch out of love and can be all that we are created to be - living in freedom and faith, full of grace that He gave us.  We spend time with Him. It is in these times with the LORD that we learn we are exactly where we should be and are released to be ourselves.  But in being ourselves created in His image, we live to serve others and thrive in meaningful and close relationships. It is a beautiful life indeed.