In October 2021, I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts with our Production Team before a meeting. I wanted to honour and value their contribution to our gatherings while reminding them that no one is exempt from an encounter with Jesus – even if they’re serving.

Luke 10:38-42 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 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.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

If you’ve grown up in the church, I guarantee you’ve heard this story over and over. The “moral” of the story, something we’re taught as kids, is to be like Mary and less like Martha.

Let’s take a second to consider is the context of this story in the book of Luke. Chapter 10 begins with Jesus commissioning and sending 72 of his followers in pairs. He tells them to bring nothing with them, but to go in faith and preach the Gospel. Jesus then curses two cities that refuse to repent of their sin, and shortly after we find out that the 72 returned with testimonies of casting out demons and people getting healed. Jesus affirms their testimony and shares something so profound in verses 20 and 21.

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Even though they walked with the authority and power of Jesus, He says – don’t place your hope in the power, rejoice in the fact that you know me, and that you’re saved.

Jesus then shares the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He commissions us to show mercy, regardless of who needs it. Then finally and then we arrive at this encounter with Mary and Martha.

Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet as he spoke, taking in every word. In John 12:2 we find out it’s more than just Mary in the room. When you consider the cultural context of Ancient Israel, it’s even more interesting because Mary 100% should have been preparing the meal with Martha and the other women.

But I was thinking about this story recently, and I thought about Martha a little more deeply because I felt like she got the short end of the stick.

Martha, on the other hand, recognizes the importance of Jesus’ presence. That’s why she’s working so hard. The Messiah, God’s own Son, is in her living room, and she knows there’s work to be done. She’s preparing the meal, setting the table. Ultimately, she’s facilitating a space where people can encounter Jesus.

Then I had a bit of a realization. The heart of Martha is so similar to the heart of our team. Often when we serve, we’re behind the scenes. We’re the ones prepping slides, patching cables, dialling in in-ear mixes, getting comms set up or any number of other things.

We serve, like Martha did, to facilitate encounters with Jesus.

Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong. She’s was just upset with her sister, which prompts Jesus’ response: “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Let me add, more than just facilitating encounters, when Jesus is in the room, even when we’re serving, we can encounter him too. We still need to carry the heart of Mary as much as we carry the heart of Martha. After all, Jesus says – what Mary is doing won’t be taken away from her.

I look out, and I see such a skilled and dedicated team, walking in the power that Jesus has given them. Just like he said in Luke 10:20, “Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

As we serve, I encourage to you consider the heart of both Mary and Martha. We serve, not just so others can encounter, but so all people, near and far from God, would be brought to life in Christ.

We’re not exempt from the encounter.

The Messiah, God’s own Son, is in our living room, and we know there’s work to be done. So let’s faithfully set the table and facilitate a space where people can do just that – encounter the living God.