How about Mary? - The Urgent, Good and the Needful

In the story of Luke 10:38-42.
We ususally make a comparison of Martha and Mary, or Mary over Martha, or just focus on Martha, because many a times we are in the shoes of Martha.

How about Mary?
Jesus has commended Mary for sitting at His feet and listening to what He has said.
We have imagined a position of bliss, sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to Him, while Martha was busily preparing.

We also think does Mary really deserve the compliments of Jesus. Is it overrated? Is Jesus just in his compliments?

Is it so easy to be the position of Mary?
I think not. Why?

(Of course, we have to believe Mary is not a natural skiver.)


First, we are "doing" being. We also strive to do something. To be able to pull ourselves away from such internal pressures to restrain ourselves from doing something is not so easy.

Imagine further, a troop of guests just arrived at their home. It is not just Jesus, it is Jesus (!!!) and his disciples. If some VIPs arrive at our homes, church or offices, will we be able to do just the "minimal"? Don't we yearn to do something to make sure they feel welcome and taken care of?

So I don't think it is easy for Mary as well.


Also, Martha, Mary's elder sister was expecting (or demading) Mary to help out and has even made a "complain" to Jesus (their VIP guest) about Mary for not helping.

Imagine you are Mary and you know your elder sister Martha is so very busy preparing and calling out to you to help. It could be the needs of the church, the ministry or another brother and sister in Christ screaming at you. How to face such genuine external pressures when the other party may not understand our "inaction"?


I think the internal and external pressures of Mary was great and the wisdom to know how to deal with it is not easy one.

So I believe Jesus is indeed right in saying "... only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."