Mary and Martha: It’s a Matter of Focus

Mary and Martha – It’s a Matter of Focus

The picture of Mary and Martha as illustrated in the book of Luke is an image that the Lord has sweetly used to speak to me time and time again.

It is a beautiful picture! Mary seated at the feet of Jesus, gazing into His wonderful face. The Lord brings me to this picture any time I start to get anxious or works focused.

At the Home of Martha and Mary

Luke 10:38-42

38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40But 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!”

41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only One.f Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I used to believe that this scripture passage is emphasizing the importance of stopping and being in the moment, or spending more time with Jesus. I have even heard it taught before about being a difference in personalities. But none of these are the real essence of this passage. The Lord has shown me the truth of the New Covenant through this sweet moment in scripture.

The truth of the New Covenant is that Jesus died once for all time to pay for all sin. (Hebrews 10) That one act made us constantly right with God as long as we have placed our faith in Him. (Romans 5:17) This is the true, uncensored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This passage is about focus! It’s not about stopping, having a quiet time, and it’s not about personality types. This passage is all about whether you have placed your focus and faith in Christ and what He did or whether you have placed your focus and faith in your self and what you do. This is not talking about for salvation because the only way to salvation is to place your faith in Jesus as the Son of God. (Ephesians 2:8) This passage is symbolic of whether or not, as a believer, you think you must work (do good deeds and have good disciplines) to stay right with God. Or do you believe that Jesus’ work on the cross alone paid for your right standing with God once for all time? See, both Mary and Martha represent believers. Martha represents carnal Christians – those focusing on the importance of their works and obedience to all the rules after their salvation. While Mary represents Christians at rest in the work Jesus completed on the cross. Of course work has to be done! Houses have to be cleaned, meals have to be cooked, grass has to be mowed, people need to be loved, and trespassers need to be forgiven! The issue isn’t about not doing anything and just resting, the issue is the state of their souls. The difference is their focus. Martha is focused on accomplishing the good works in her strength and Mary is focused on Jesus.

As Martha was focused on works, notice how she was not only frustrated with Mary for not being focused on works too, but she was also frustrated with Jesus for not making Mary focus on works as well. Kind of funny right? It’s kind of funny because we can all relate.

Focusing on works leads to frustration not only with those around you that you compare yourself to and believe aren’t doing as much or as good as you are, but it also leads to frustration with God for not punishing or reprimanding those who you are judging as being spiritually lazy. This is comparison. This is how we act and think when we become wise in our own eyes. Focusing on works leads to pride, comparison, frustration, and condemnation of self or others.

Interestingly, Jesus didn’t agree with Martha. He was not impressed with her focus or her works. He said that Mary chose better. Notice that he didn’t say that Martha was wrong because remember Martha is a believer. All believers are in Christ and loved by Him. He said that what Mary chose was better because as believers we have a choice – we can try to live the Christian life in our own strength focused on works and rules or we can rest at His feet with our eyes fixed on Him and let Him live the Christian life through us as we trust that the Holy Spirit will produce His fruits in us.

In either scenario both the Marys and the Marthas will do good deeds, but sometimes they will mess up. They are believers but they are still human. The difference is not in what they produce. The difference is their focus.

Whether you are focused on works or Jesus, you will often do good deeds, but still mess up sometimes. So why choose one over the other? One reason is because the Mary option is restful. Jesus wants us to be at rest in Him.

Jesus said – “Come to me and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

That alone is reason enough, but the main reason is because Jesus said the Mary option is better. The option to rest in Him, in His works, and in His righteousness is His plan and design.

Real, raw, hunger and thirst for the word, prayer, and good works of the Spirit will automatically flow from within you as you set the Holy Spirit free inside of you – not bound to routines, disciplines, laws, and attempts to perform good works. He is ready to flow freely from within you, once you believe who you are because of Christ alone – no action required. (Philippians 2:13)

The Cross is a Finished Work

The power of the Holy Spirit is released when we rest in Jesus alone. Let the pressure fall off. Let the state of your soul rest at the feet of Jesus, just like Mary. Each and every day, recognize that you are at rest in Him.

Fix your eyes on Jesus and focus on Him and His works. You are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21) because of what He did, not because of what you do. It’s all a matter of focus.

Let us be like Mary and let our focus be on “only One” – Just Jesus!

On your journey consider this…

God isn’t looking for us to impress Him with our works; He desperately wants to impress us with His.

“May your journey bring freedom and your mind be ever renewed to His truth!” – Angel