Martha and Mary's contentious story only appears in Luke's gospel. Was he really trying to start a debate about the best way to love Jesus? For centuries, the sister who serves has been pitted against the sister who listens. Let’s compare Martha with the other disciples in the chapter, even if they are male, and see if we can put that tired discussion to bed.

Introduction: Confessions of an English Major

I may be going out on a limb with this one, but I’m pretty sure reading the Bible isn’t supposed to inspire self-righteousness.  For years, the way I read the story of Mary and Martha, led me to just that feeling.  I could have been the one praying, “God, I thank you that I am not like Martha, always busy with her many tasks, constantly scurrying around in her service.  I thank you that I am more like her sister Mary, content to sit at your feet and listen.   Ah, how wonderful to be me.”  Gross, right?  I hereby apologize to Martha and all who identify with her.  Also, I have discovered that I have a very necessary and well-loved Martha within me, too.  Judging her is denying part of myself.

I know I’m not the only one who’s taken sides in the Mary/Martha debate, though.  The idea that we must choose one woman’s way of being over the other is both false and older than the hills, with a long history of saints aligning themselves with Team Mary or Team Martha beginning as early as 400 AD.  Let’s be honest, the fact that Martha and Mary are women just adds fuel to the fiery debate.  What a woman should be like is a fun topic for some, and when a Bible story appears to offer a black-or-white option, it’s too tempting to resist.

But resist it we must!  In this series, we’ll read the sisters’ story in context with other stories in Luke, including the very famous parable of the “Good” Samaritan.  That’s a rotten title, by the way, but if you’re familiar with it, that’s how you know it.  We’ll learn about the unique genre of the parable, and do some word and character analysis.  What happens, for instance, if we compare Martha and Mary not only to each other, but also, here’s a shocker, to Luke’s male characters? It’s going to be fun.  I’m so glad you’re here!