without fanfare

John12

Here we are again with Martha serving Jesus and her sister worshiping Him. Martha had taken the counsel offered by Jesus at the last visit. Her service was good and good enough, but she ought not judge the service of another. While the first part of this chapter puts Mary in the limelight and rightly so, I want to focus on Martha, the ever faithful hostess.

Here Martha was not cumbered but served with serenity. She did not feel a need to huff and puff and accuse. She did not feel a need for praise. Her service spoke loudly all on its own. Since the meal was a Sabbath day meal, Martha was unusually pressed for time, but she remained calm. She served for the right reasons with a true servant's heart. She did not object to her sister's extravagant service. She had no sounding brass or tinkling cymbals, while serving in the way she knew how to serve best.

Mary once again chose to worship directly. Nevertheless, it was also not for the praise of man, since she obviously got a tongue lashing for it. Although others were there, her focus was on the Savior. But the Savior looked upon her heart and understood her intentions. He knew and she knew that the time for this sort of personal worship was quickly fleeting. Mary seized the moment and served in the way she knew how to serve best.

This time without judging each others' form of service,  they both joyfully focused on the One thing that is needful.

"When we are young, and some of us never get over it, we are apt to think that applause, conspicuousness and fame constitute success. But they are only the trappings, the trimmings. Success itself is the work, the achievement that evokes these manifestations. Concentrate on your work and the applause will take care of itself." B.C. Forbes