Inviting Him In: Martha
Irritation surged as her shin grazed her sister’s unmoving frame. She sighed as she let the spoon land against the bowl, making a little more noise than necessary. Didn’t her sister know how badly she wanted to hear the words that Jesus spoke? Didn’t her sister realize that she’d left her alone to bear the burden of host? Martha was understandably annoyed: “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” (Luke 10:40).
“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” (Luke 10:41-42).
Don’t let anyone tell you that Mary loved Jesus more. Might Martha’s annoyance have been at least in part that she wished she were seated there beside her sister? Might she have longed to set down the dishtowel and enjoy the presence of the One she’d invited in? Did you catch that, by the way? It was Martha who asked Jesus to come into her home (Luke 10:38).
Yes, Mary chose the better thing.
But Martha was the reason that Better Thing was in their home at all!
What would make Martha nearly miss the One she had invited in?
I can’t say for sure. But I can tell you why I’ve missed Him.