If I were Jesus, most of the miracles would have been fun for me to experience. Feeding 5,000+. Healing the bleeding woman who had suffered for years. Walking on water.
But one would have been especially tough—the healing of the pouter.
Jesus had been welcomed into the home of Mary and Martha and was enjoying time with His disciples and friends. I like to be where the action is, especially if the action is theological discussion with good friends.
But not everyone was enjoying their time together. Martha was “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40). She wasn’t enjoying the conversation and laughing at the jokes. She was busy and mentally building a case for why she was right and her sister was wrong. She was pouting.
I don’t like to walk in to someone else’s drama. As an INTJ, one mantra I love is “feelings are not facts.” I like to hang out with the fact-seekers, not the feeling-experiencers.
If I were enjoying interesting conversation with my friends, I’d probably ignore the huffing and dish banging sounds from the kitchen. I might roll my eyes and hope Martha would just get over herself. But that’s not what Jesus did.
He left the dinner party, and entered Martha’s pity party.
He turned away from the crowd to focus on just one.
He didn’t experience FOMO (fear of missing out) on the fun. He prioritized not missing out on making a difference in Martha’s life.
He showed us the truth John later wrote about, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-41)
He gently showed Martha what was necessary and He showed us too. Making sure everyone is invited. Leaving no man behind. Drawing the circle big enough to include everyone, even the pouters and doubters.
I’m praying for God to show me how I can follow Christ’s example. Showing love when I want to ignore the huffing and let them get over themselves. Leaving the crowd I want to hang out with to seek out and include the one who hasn’t joined us. Following up on a Facebook post that begs for attention. Asking gentle questions and really listening to the answers.
