Women In Stillness
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Women in the Gospels

Mary and Martha, revisited

Luke 10:38–42

A careful reading of Luke 10:38–42 — what Jesus actually commends, and what this means for women pulled between many good things.

Key passages

  • Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. (v.42)

The scene

Martha welcomes Jesus into her home. Mary sits at His feet. Martha is pulled away by preparations and eventually interrupts: Lord, do you not care?

The gentleness of the rebuke

Jesus does not scold Martha's service. He names something deeper: you are anxious and troubled about many things. The issue is not the work. It is the anxiety that has attached itself to the work.

What Mary chose

Mary chose the good portion. Luke is careful here — not the only good thing, but the good thing that could not be taken away. Presence with Christ is never wasted.

This passage is not a rebuke of women who serve. It is an invitation to let presence come first, and let service flow from it.

For reflection

  1. Where is anxiety attaching itself to good work in your life?
  2. What would it look like to sit before you serve?
  3. What is the 'good portion' that cannot be taken from you?