In the famous story of Mary and Martha, do you consider Jesus’ response to Martha a rebuke?

“But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭41‬-‭42‬ ‭NLT‬‬

By definition, a rebuke expresses disapproval.

I don’t think Jesus rebuked Martha. I don’t believe His response was an act of disapproval. I think he corrected her. Correction is kindness. Correction is love.

Jesus loved Martha enough to invite her to “rest” at his feet.

I’m relating to Martha today.

I have a situation at work that is stressing me out. Like Martha, I am tempted to work harder and I’m irritated everyone around me is not working harder as well. Also, like Martha, I’m complaining to God about my workload, about my stress level.

Today, as I was sitting at my desk with anxiety raging, I heard the song, “Be still and know I am God,” playing in the background. I had to laugh. Jesus was saying to me, what He said to Martha.

“Melissa, Melissa, stop the fretting. Stop making a fuss over the temporary. Be still and enjoy my presence.”

I didn’t feel rebuked. I felt loved. I felt cared for.  I felt His presence as he interrupted my turmoil, and corrected my thoughts. I hope Martha felt the same love and caring when Jesus spoke those words to her. I pray you feel His love when He corrects you as well.

Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha. He didn’t rebuke me. And in your times of anxiousness, He is not rebuking you. But He is correcting us. He is inviting us, like He did with Martha, to get off the performance wheel and “Be still and enjoy Him as God.”

Mary accepted the invitation. Will you accept the invitation?