Consider This - A New Perspective on Mary and Martha
I am still reading the book in the title of this blog post and have just finished Chap 3 BUT WOW! The amazing exegesis of the text in Luke 10:38-42 just makes so much sense. It makes me see these women - Mary and Martha - in a whole new context and light. If this is the correct interpretation of the text, then why has the part of these women in the narrative been so trivialised for so long?
Essentially:
Martha "receives" Jesus, in the sense that she accepts his teaching and becomes his disciple. There is likely no mention of "into her house". So this is not a story about Martha working and preparing a meal while a lazy Mary sits at Jesus' feet.
Martha has a sister who "also" "sits at Jesus feet". Both Martha and Mary have been "sitting at his feet", in the metaphorical sense, learning for a long time. (This makes Martha's declaration of faith in John 11 so much more understandable, because she seems to "get it" when many of the disciples are still floundering).
It appears that Mary is NOT there. Notice how she has no voice in this interaction. Why did she not defend herself? In fact, the verb tenses indicate she has been deserting Martha on a regular basis. She is likely off serving elsewhere (maybe with the 70) and Martha is just too concerned about all her responsibilities - actually worried to the point of distraction. Any modern day female would then relate to Martha who is likely responsible for a home and property, maybe elderly, dying or dead parents, a younger brother (possibly ill), her own ministry etc etc etc. Sound familiar?
Martha takes the opportunity to appeal to Jesus to ask Mary to come home and help her with all her many duties. Jesus tries to calm her and is very concerned about her (indicated by the double "Martha, Martha"). Jesus insists that the work Mary is doing is good (not implying that it is better than what Martha is doing, just good), but perhaps Martha's long-term worries are distracting her from good, too.
Remember, earlier in Luke 9 there is talk of the cost of discipleship and leaving your family and the sending out of the 70. And soon after in Luke 11 there is talk of prayer.
In this context, we see not two bickering siblings but two godly women who have chosen different paths of ministry - one at home, one in the mission field.
Mind is totally blown. And now onto Chap 4 where Mary Stromer Hanson discusses the John 11 passage! Can't wait.
The New Perspective on Mary and Martha
Essentially:
Martha "receives" Jesus, in the sense that she accepts his teaching and becomes his disciple. There is likely no mention of "into her house". So this is not a story about Martha working and preparing a meal while a lazy Mary sits at Jesus' feet.
Martha has a sister who "also" "sits at Jesus feet". Both Martha and Mary have been "sitting at his feet", in the metaphorical sense, learning for a long time. (This makes Martha's declaration of faith in John 11 so much more understandable, because she seems to "get it" when many of the disciples are still floundering).
It appears that Mary is NOT there. Notice how she has no voice in this interaction. Why did she not defend herself? In fact, the verb tenses indicate she has been deserting Martha on a regular basis. She is likely off serving elsewhere (maybe with the 70) and Martha is just too concerned about all her responsibilities - actually worried to the point of distraction. Any modern day female would then relate to Martha who is likely responsible for a home and property, maybe elderly, dying or dead parents, a younger brother (possibly ill), her own ministry etc etc etc. Sound familiar?
Martha takes the opportunity to appeal to Jesus to ask Mary to come home and help her with all her many duties. Jesus tries to calm her and is very concerned about her (indicated by the double "Martha, Martha"). Jesus insists that the work Mary is doing is good (not implying that it is better than what Martha is doing, just good), but perhaps Martha's long-term worries are distracting her from good, too.
Remember, earlier in Luke 9 there is talk of the cost of discipleship and leaving your family and the sending out of the 70. And soon after in Luke 11 there is talk of prayer.
In this context, we see not two bickering siblings but two godly women who have chosen different paths of ministry - one at home, one in the mission field.
Mind is totally blown. And now onto Chap 4 where Mary Stromer Hanson discusses the John 11 passage! Can't wait.
The New Perspective on Mary and Martha
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Consider This
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