Gracious Service

Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. In their culture, hospitality was a significant responsibility—Martha had to prepare water for washing feet, bake fresh bread, prepare lamb, collect olives and cheese, and likely serve a sizable group, not just Jesus alone.

Martha was doing exactly what her culture expected and what Jesus himself commended when he sent out his disciples to look for hospitable hosts. Hospitality is a tremendous Christian virtue. The Apostle Paul writes, "Contribute to the needs of the saints, seek to show hospitality" (Romans 12:13), and Peter commands, "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling" (1 Peter 4:9). Remarkably, Paul lists hospitality as a requirement for church elders and leaders.

We often highlight those on stage—the singers, musicians, and teachers—but hospitality deserves equal recognition. To those who open their homes and create spaces for community groups and fellowship: thank you for your service and faithfulness to the Lord.

Attentive Listening

Martha had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. In their culture, this was shocking. As a younger sister and part of the host family, Mary was expected to help with hospitality. Yet she chose instead to sit at Jesus' feet and listen.

What Mary demonstrates has three essential components. First, there is intentional proximity—sitting at someone's feet was always deliberate, never accidental. Second, she was listening to his teaching, genuinely interested in what he had to say rather than bringing her own thoughts. Third, she recognized that it mattered—she made a quick calculation and chose to sit and listen despite cultural expectations and other available tasks.

All of us, whether we started following Jesus on Tuesday or forty-five years ago, need to do what Mary did. This must be intentional. When we set aside time and place on purpose to be with Jesus, something sacred happens. We can read his written Word, picture him speaking it over us, and come legitimately desiring to know what he wants to say to us.

There is no substitute for this. The world cannot give us what our Lord and Savior wants to say to us. We must make it a priority. Many wait for January to start a Bible reading plan, but summer is an excellent time—longer days and often fewer obligations make it ideal for establishing a systematic reading habit.

You might start with a reading plan in the Woodman app, return to Luke chapter 1, or choose any section of Scripture. The amount matters less than the listening. When you encounter his teaching, ask yourself: What is this telling me about Jesus? What am I hearing from him? Then ask the response question: What do you want me to do? How should I respond?

A Distracted Heart

But Martha was distracted with much serving. She went to Jesus and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."

Martha's problem is relatable. We've all felt overwhelmed while trying to accomplish something important. Before approaching Jesus, Martha likely had a conversation with herself: the timer going off for the meat, the bread about to burn, her sister sitting in the living room in her sweater while she worked alone. Everyone in the house would be distracted—smelling the burning bread, wondering why Mary wasn't helping, frustrated by the situation.

Martha begins this story serving Jesus graciously. One verse later, she's overwhelmed, frustrated, irritated with everyone, and questioning Jesus. Why? Because her service began negatively impacting her heart. She uses "me" or "my" three times in two sentences. Her service, which was good, became the very thing that distracted her from the one she was serving.

Which of us hasn't been there? This is why taking breaks from constant activity matters. When we don't slow down, we can become short-tempered and sassy with those we love. Many of us experience this after intense seasons of service—like after kids camp on Thursday night, we're snippier than normal.

All of us in Christ are expected to serve, contribute, and join Jesus on his mission to seek and save the lost. But when service negatively impacts those around us, or when it harms our own heart and relationship with the one we're serving, we should slow up and take a minute. This is especially true when service causes us to forget the one we're ultimately serving.

A Gentle Reminder

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her."

Notice that Jesus addresses her tenderly: "Martha, Martha." He doesn't scold her or condemn her for serving. He doesn't say, "That's your problem—you should have been listening to me too." Instead, he acknowledges the impact her anxiety and distraction were having on her heart. She was becoming short-tempered and troubled about many things.

Then comes the gentle reminder: one thing is necessary—and that one thing is him. Mary had chosen Jesus that day, and he would not take that away from her. But Martha needed to remember that he was right there too. She needed to remember why she was serving in the first place.

Consider a man who grills dinner for guests. He hands off the meat, stays outside to meticulously clean the grill, and misses the entire meal. Ironically, his service kept him from the very people he was trying to serve. We can do the same with Jesus.

Imagine if Martha had looked outside, seen her little sister sitting at Jesus' feet, and thought, "That is so cool. My little sister gets to do this." She could have done her best with what she had, thrown together a meal, and served graciously. I suspect Jesus would have said, "I saw what you did there. Thank you for letting Mary sit and listen. That was gracious of you."

We are called to serve. But when that service leads us to forget the one we are ultimately serving, we need to slow up and get with him. You've got to know when to hold them, but more importantly, know when to fold them. When your service is stifling your soul, you need to walk away—or even run.

The Gospel in This Story

Do not miss the gospel in all of this. Jesus didn't love Mary more because she sat quietly with him. He wasn't frustrated with Martha because she wasn't serving him directly. The point is this: neither sister was earning anything from Jesus.

Jesus died for all of us when we were still sinners, before we had done any act of service. He gave his life to give us new life and to reconcile us to God. Each of us is welcomed by grace through faith in him, and our service overflows from that relationship.

When our service is hampering our relationship with Jesus—our reason for doing it—that's our clue. We need to get with Jesus. Maybe you need to get with him for the first time: confess that he is Lord, believe that God raised him from the dead, and receive forgiveness for your sins. Even if you've walked with Jesus for forty-five years, sometimes we need the reminder that he is Lord, that God raised him from the grave, and that we must be with him.

This Summer

What if this summer you started every day with the good portion? If you have a steady quiet time, continue it. But what if each of us set the alarm thirty minutes earlier this summer and simply sat at his feet and listened? You might be surprised how much extra time you find and how much better your attitude becomes.

Choose what matters most. Choose him. In seasons of craziness—and there will be seasons of craziness—offset them with times with Jesus. Let him be the center of your life, the foundation of your life, so that his spirit gives life and strength to all you seek to do.