Breaking the Word

 As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary (who) sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me." The Lord said to her in reply, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her." (Lk 10:38-42)

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. As he goes he completes his work of establishing the kingdom of God. He preached and worked miracles and gathered the people to join this kingdom movement. It was like a new exodus. As he moves around he completes certain works.

Here in this house at a place called Bethany, he meets these two sisters. There seems to be only two of the in that house as Luke narrates. Both of them were interested in Jesus. Martha welcomed her and Mary listened to her. One was busy preparing food for him while the other was keeping him company so that he would not feel neglected or unwanted.

Interestingly there was no male person in the family to listen to him. Shall we say that Mary was playing the role of a male person?  She was sitting at his feet and listening. Could it be that she was learning from him (sitting at the feet of the Master to learn). People would sit at the feet of the Master (Rabbi), to learn to become Rabbi (like Saul at the feet of Gamaliel). This could mean that Jesus was breaking the Male – Female barrier that existed in the society. He permitted a female to sit at his feet to learn like a male. Would that mean that Mary could also become a teacher? Probably this is what disturbed her sister Martha. 

  But the Pharisees went out and took counsel against him to put him to death. When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place. Many (people) followed him, and he cured them all, but he warned them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight; I shall place my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not contend or cry out, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory. And in his name the Gentiles will hope." (Mt 12:14-21)

The first few verses give the real picture of the situation of Jesus. That is he has a very good following. People come after him in crowds may be because they want him to heal them and cure them of their diseases. But there is also an opposition mounting against him. The opposition is from among the leaders and in particular religious leaders. Jesus could only move out of the situation and quiet about it.

Jesus wanting his followers to be quiet or keeping secret about his activities is often called as Messianic secret. One of the reasons for this secrecy is that some of his followers wanted to make use of leadership for a revolt; for a messianic revolt. Also because Jesus wanted to complete his mission through his death on the cross before   his identity was revealed to the world.

The image of him taken from Prophet Isaiah is the suffering servant image (Is 42). This is the servant who will bring God’s blessings and justice to the world. This idea of bringing blessings and peace is the work of the Messiah. The servant is not going to accomplish this through violence and fight but through a gentle work of healing, bearing the love of God to the people. God’s restoration work was not through fuss but rather through gentle healing love.