Mary & Martha

Mary & Martha
Acrylic on Canvas
30" x 40"
29/08/15
4.5 hours

This piece of Mary & Martha (& Lazarus) was inspired by a couple of pieces which I adapted from, most notably the painting by Nathan Greene, with some edits to illustrate food preparation. The guy in the background is a depiction of their brother, Lazarus, whom Jesus had brought back to life earlier.

I picked this story when I asked one of my close friends for her favourite bible story, and she shared this tale with me, which I found to be very meaningful. It came as a timely reminder to me. As a very performance-oriented and result driven person (especially in the workplace), I am often too caught up with worrying about ensuring that work targets and deliverables are met, rather than properly focusing on God’s wisdom. This story illustrates the futility of worry and reiterates the importance of learning His word and spending time with Him, which is more valued than dealing efficiently with the hustles and bustles of everyday life. It also illustrates our limited understanding when we go to God demanding for help in our daily life, and His eternal wisdom when He patiently guides us towards a greater spiritual understanding.

Luke 10:38-42 NIV sets out the tale as follows:

“At the Home of Martha and Mary

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

As background, the accounts of Martha and Mary had also been set out in 2 other accounts by John. John records the miracle of how Lazarus, their brother, was raised from the dead by Jesus (John 11), as well as the extravagant love of Mary, who had anointed the feet of Jesus with very costly oil at John’s recount of the same dinner (John 12:1-11). This illustrates how the entire family had no lack of love for Jesus. In John’s account, Mary was so humble, convicted and dedicated to Jesus and His teachings that no expense or personal act was too great or demanding for her to honor her Savior. She was not being lazy when she chose to sit at Jesus’ feet instead of helping her sister; this was an act of love to God.

Yet this was a very different perspectives from that of Martha. While Martha loved Jesus deeply, it was clear that Martha was “distracted by all the preparations”, and she was so upset that she called out to the Lord for help. Her indignation was clear; she asked the Lord doesn’t He care that Mary had left her to prepare the meal by herself, and insisted that Jesus ask her sister to help her out. Martha didn’t suggest that Jesus ask Mary to help her; she told Him directly to “tell her to help me.” Here, we see that Martha has the clear goal of preparing dinner for her guests, which would be the good hospitable practice at that time. This is in itself is of course not a bad goal. Martha clearly thought that this was the right thing to do. She expected Jesus to naturally agree with her.

But in response to her indignant demands, Jesus had gently responded as follows:

 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

For instead of focusing on preparing the meal, to address a physical need (and a possible social one, as they were hosts), Mary had chosen to sit at the feet of the Lord to listen to what He said. This led to her spiritual growth and understanding. For during the periods that Martha had spent worrying about the preparations for dinner, she could have had missed out on key aspects on God’s eternal wisdom. As such, while Martha may have been doing a good thing, Mary had chosen what was better – she chose to accumulate spiritual wisdom, truth and life. As John 6:63 ESV states, “…The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life”. Scripture further provides that “…Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Luke 4:4 NIV).

Further, as to pleasing God, the bible states that “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth” (3 John 1:4 NLT).  Jesus would want nothing more than for us to walk in His truth and righteousness. But in order to follow the truth, we must first be well-acquainted with the truth. Oftentimes, we don’t spend enough time grapsing God’s truth and wisdom, and are content to survive with a shallow and superficial understanding while we worry and focus on the busy demands of our world. But is this the right approach? Jesus tells us our highest priority in life should be to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness …” (Matthew 6:33 ESV). The bible also provides: “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” (John 6:27 NIV).

Did Jesus or his disciples need the food prepare by Martha? Clearly not; Jesus could have provided for food Himself if required. As such, Martha’s reliance on her own strength, her strong demands and her indignance to the lack of support shows a limited understanding of who Jesus is and what pleases Him. She had worried unnecessarily, over things of this world that did not matter. For Matthew 6:25 NIV tells us “…do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”

By choosing God’s wisdom over preparing food for her guests, Mary had chosen something that would not be taken away from her. For she had chosen what is eternal – God’s word, which stands firm in the heavens (Psalm 119:89). Martha's life, however, was taken up with many secondary things which were not needed, but her key need was that which Mary acknowledged: the words of Jesus that give eternal life (John 6:68).