Easter: Are You A Mary or Martha?

Read This: “But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.’” Luke 10:41

Think: Certain situations bring out the Martha or Mary in each of us—think holidays and weddings. By nature and design there are those who work hard to make events be all they can be and those who enjoy them for all they’re worth. We need each other in that way. But we also need to be careful, lest we let our strengths and gifts get in the way of God’s presence in our lives.

In Luke chapter 10 Jesus comes to the home of Mary and Martha. It’s a big deal to host the Son of God and Martha works hard to make sure that he is comfortable and well fed. While she hustles to cook, serve, and clean, her sister, Mary, hasn’t left Jesus’ side. Frustrated and indignant, she finally confronts Jesus and tells him to tell her sister to get up and help her.

Martha became so caught up in trying to honor the Lord and make everything perfect, she lost sight of him. Instead of being a joyful servant she became bitter and contemptuous, because Mary was choosing to honor God in a different way—the better way we’re told. So many times we get stuck in our own good works for God. We have the best intentions, but we still fail to stop and behold his presence in the moment.

Maybe this Easter you’re also looking for ways to focus more on Jesus and you find yourself frustrated by egg hunts, bunnies, bow ties, and frilly dresses. Like Martha, you want Jesus to convict people who enjoy a little bit of commercialism. Don’t let your joy be robbed. Remember, keeping our eyes on Jesus throughout Easter or any other time is less about how enthusiastically we embrace a basket of eggs and more about an inward attitude of worship.

Ask: What are your favorite Easter traditions? Does anyone know how eggs became a part of it? Are you more of a Mary or a Martha? As family and friends gather for Easter celebrations, how can you make sure you are not “troubled by many things,” but invest in what can’t be taken away?

Pray: However you celebrate Easter, be it sunrise services or chocolate bunnies or both, pray that the Holy Spirit will fill your heart so much that you can’t help but focus on him. May we, like Mary, choose to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to his teaching.