“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”  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” (, ESV).

Now I’m going to read one more scripture, “Six days before the Passover” (that’s when Jesus was going to die), “Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair” (John 12:1-3a, ESV).

I like how we get to revisit this scene. Jesus is back at the home of Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha are doing the exact same things. Mary is again at Jesus’ feet. Martha is again serving. Jesus wasn’t asking her to never cook or clean. There was still work to be done. But we’re not told this time of her stewing in frustration. We’re not told of her troubles and anxiety. She just served. I like that simple description. Martha served. That’s all we’re told. May that be how we are described.

They served. A servant needs no praise or recognition for just doing what they were told to do. It’s expected of them. And now Martha has accepted her role. She’s serving and not worried about what other people are doing. Mary is serving too, in her own way. They look different. They are both doing what is required of them. They served.