Jesus in our homes
This week we are exploring scenes of Jesus in different
people’s houses.
Yesterday we thought about how Jesus brought healing and
comfort, but at the same time his presence resulted in the roof of the house
being destroyed.
Today we find Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary, those 2
sisters who were so different. And again Jesus’ presence brings comfort to one
and disturbance to the other.
Read Luke 10:38 - 42
I think we often picture just 3 people in this scene: Jesus,
Martha and Mary, but actually Luke tells us that Jesus was travelling with his
disciples. Presumably he didn’t leave the 12 outside – they probably joined him
in the sisters’ house. So dinner for 13 hungry men who turned up on her
doorstep without letting her know in advance – no wonder Martha was distracted!
Traditionally a teacher, or rabbi, would gather his disciples
round him, sitting at his feet. This was
a mark of respect. In the culture of the day it was only men who would be
accepted as part of this learning community – the rabbi (male) with his
disciples (also male). Not only that,
but it was accepted that in a household women would work in the kitchen, and
stay there while the men enjoyed each other’s company. That is still true in
some cultures today.
So what do we find here? Martha in the kitchen, as would be
expected, but Mary in the main room with Jesus, sitting at his feet –
presumably with the 12 – taking the role of a disciple.
No wonder Martha was shocked: not only was she having to do
the work on her own, but, if that wasn’t bad enough, her sister was flouting
every social and religious convention by putting herself on an equal footing
with the other disciples. And Jesus
seems to think that’s OK – adding to Martha’s distraction.
If yesterday’s scene showed Jesus tearing up the belief of
the teachers of the law that a ‘mere man’ cannot forgive sins, now he’s tearing
up the convention that says that women can’t be accepted as equal disciples.
But this isn’t simply because Jesus is being deliberately provocative just to
upset people – it’s because he is working to a much higher priority: the
kingdom of God.
In God’s kingdom all people will be accepted and treated
equally, in God’s kingdom there is forgiveness for all. And Mary is welcomed as part of that.
Only Luke records this scene, but John shows us at greater
length Mary and Martha as they grieve for their brother Lazarus, and later in
the same house a dinner party given in Jesus’ honour where Martha is again
serving and Mary pours expensive perfume over Jesus feet. This time she is criticised by Judas for her
wastefulness. Maybe Mary was so grateful to Jesus for being accepted as part of
his new kingdom community that she would do anything to show her gratitude.
As we come to pray, let’s consider what it means to be part
of that new kingdom community that Jesus is building – and more than that…. Part
of his family in which we can call God our Father.
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