I am creating a series of art and poems based on the words Jesus spoke to women. This poem is based on the account of Jesus’ conversation with Martha found in Luke 10:38-42.
spices, shopping lists, times, menus, money
I hold my home
in my head
my place fixed
kneading for needs,
tangible and solid
a well-ordered house of peace
where no one walks away
hungry
but today’s tasks
run dizzying circles
while Mary sits absorbing
my slower sister
nearly touching his feet
assumes a learner’s pose
irritation sours me
until I burst
to the Teacher who replies:
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
but one thing is needed.
Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
like a clean cut through a new loaf
his words,
an invitation
and like Eve,
surprised by heaven
on an evening walk
I see in my living room
holy ladder, holy ground
heaven descending and ascending
my roiling thoughts drop
to the dust like Moses’ sandals
before the burning bush
for there is better bread
for deeper hunger
and Mary ate first
my home I see
a house of peace
because of the One I host
COPYRIGHT/USAGE: All writing, artwork and photos are copyright Marydean Draws. Please do not repost or resell on another website. I’m happy for you to use my coloring pages and other printables for home, school, and ministry. If you share content, please link back to the original post. Thank you!
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
“As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me. 41 Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:5-6 ESV)
“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.“” (Luke 10:27 ESV)
“And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8 ESV)
“And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”” (Exodus 3:2-5 ESV)
“Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” (John 1:47-51)
“my home I see
a house of peace
because of the One I host”
That is beautiful. <3
Brant Hanson recently referenced this story and it completely changed my perspective on it. In that society, women didn't sit in with the men while they were learning. And rather than shun Mary, Jesus affirmed her presence to sit with and learn from Him…I think there's more here than the business vs. stillness (although this clearly still applies!) I think it struck me so b/c my husband had recently returned from a ministry trip to Nepal and their culture is so different from ours…especially regarding women (a few years before, he visited India and Nepal for the first time. The wife of his Pastor host wouldn't even eat until the men were fed beyond fullness, etc., and women there are generally treated as second class citizens. It was super uncomfortable for him to experience, but it certainly shed new light on this passage. Can you imagine if your expected place to be is in the kitchen feeding the men and you chose instead to sit with them? Not a big deal in America but definitely a big deal then and still in many other parts of the world!) I love how Jesus affirmed her heart to desire Him above all else, even the status quo.
Hi Samantha! Wow, that definitely puts such a different light on Jesus’ response given the strict gender roles (that your husband even saw in modern times). Thanks for sharing these thoughts! –Mary
The poem is beautiful and I feel it captures the moment and the lesson perfectly! Being a Martha who strives-to-be Mary, I love this! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome Carolyn! I am definitely a striver as well so I needed to hear it. 🙂 –Mary
Your poem is insightful and inspirational. Thank you for your art
Thank you Kristin!