I cringe every time I hear the story about Mary and Martha. The one in Luke’s (10:48-52) gospel where Mary is sitting at Jesus’s feet and Martha is bustling around getting the meal ready for Jesus and his disciples. The person telling the story invariably points out that it’s better for us to spend time sitting at the feet of Jesus, learning from him. Can’t argue with that. We could all benefit by spending more time with Jesus and less time hurrying through life. However, hearing this story inevitably causes me pain and frustration because I so closely identify with this Type A Martha.

The story starts with Martha trying to make all of the preparations for the meal on her own. Martha is at a distinct disadvantage since she had no advance notice that Jesus and his entourage would be arriving at her house. The text states she is “distracted” which is understandable since she’s cooking not only for Jesus but also for everyone following him. Instead of bashing her I think we should praise her for opening her home to this large group coming for a little rest and some food. I’m sure Martha thought that by working like crazy, she and Mary could pull this off.

But wait a moment. Where was Mary? One look in the living room confirmed Martha’s hunch that Mary was missing in action. Instead of helping her in the kitchen, there she was blithely sitting with the other disciples at the feet of Jesus. This made Martha livid! So mad in fact, that she didn’t take into account that complaining to Jesus at that particular moment would have the unintended result of allowing everyone in the vicinity to hear her whiny petty complaints, providing an object lesson for future generations on the error of making the wrong choice.

Oh, the pain. I’ve been there. Taking on a little too much and expecting a loved one to help me complete the task at hand. All for a good cause. Have you experienced this? Too much to do, not enough time to do it and the people in your life appear to be having a fulfilling and relaxing interlude without you and seemingly at your expense. This is where you begin to feel a little betrayed and very out of sorts.

I don’t believe Jesus was chastising Martha with a harsh voice and a finger pointed in her face. John 11:5 tells us that Jesus loved Martha. I envision as Jesus was saying the now famous words, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41), He was really saying in a tender and loving voice “Martha, Martha my dear friend who I know and love, here is what’s best for you.” Jesus was inviting Martha to sit in the room and relax knowing that somehow the meal would get made and on the table. I imagine Martha’s breathing slowing, her body relaxing, and her face becoming radiant as she finally sits with Mary and the other disciples, listening to Jesus speak.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Jesus longs for us to sit with him, learn from, and find rest in him. Miraculously when we take time out of our busy day to spend time with Jesus, somehow the work will gets done too.

The bible text ends with Jesus telling Martha that Mary chose the right thing by sitting at His feet. I like to believe that there is more to the story. Will you join me on a little flight of the imagination?

We know there were other women who followed Jesus and the 12, financially supporting Jesus’ ministry and perhaps doing other traditional tasks such as making meals for Jesus and the disciples (Luke8:1-3). These women had eyes to see and ears to hear and would have witnessed this interaction between Martha and Jesus. Instead of turning this into a morality story for future generations, they would have taken the opportunity to show love to Martha.

I see them gently getting up after Jesus was done talking and going into the kitchen with Martha. They would be joyful, silly even, singing and dancing around as they did the work that needed to get done. Making the bread, setting the table, and pouring the drinks. Martha begins to smile and even laugh until she was able to eventually forget her feelings of betrayal, fear, and desperation.

What a joy it is for us to have Godly friends in our lives. Men and women who can come along side us and lend us a helping hand, listen to our hurt and pain, and hopefully make us laugh. While choosing to sit at the feet of Jesus is of utmost importance in our lives, enjoying the people he sends to us is the icing on the cake.