The Necessary Balance in Ministry: Learning from Mary and Martha
Big Idea:
A life in ministry requires a balance between investing in your personal relationship with Jesus and using your time in acts of service.
Ministry is not a monologue; it’s a symphony—a harmonious blend of contemplation and action, compassion and conviction, love and truth. The story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 reveals that a balanced ministry reflects the heart of Jesus, requiring us to both sit at His feet and serve His people. But how do we achieve this balance? It comes down to three essential commitments that must shape our lives and ministries: maintaining a holy perspective, being prepared to offend the Pharisees, and being willing to love the sinner.
1. Maintaining a Holy Perspective: Knowing Christ and Living in the Light of His Character
In the story of Mary and Martha, we often rush to contrast the two sisters—Mary, who sits at Jesus’ feet, and Martha, who is busy with preparations. But the deeper message here is about perspective. Mary chose what was better not because contemplation is superior to action, but because she prioritized her relationship with Jesus above all else.
Maintaining a holy perspective means letting everything in your ministry flow from an intimate knowledge of Christ. It’s easy to get lost in the busyness of ministry—planning services, running programs, and meeting needs. Yet, without regularly anchoring ourselves in the presence of Jesus, our actions can become hollow, more about doing for God than being with Him.
In practical terms, this means carving out time in your day—not just for ministry work, but for communion with Christ. It means making your relationship with Him the lens through which you view every decision, every interaction, and every task. When Christ is at the center, our actions are not merely duties—they become expressions of His love and character. This holy perspective not only guides us but fuels us, ensuring that our service is vibrant, Spirit-led, and impactful.
2. Be Ready to Offend the Pharisees: Standing Firm When You Don’t Follow the Rules
In ministry, we often face pressure to conform—to follow established norms, traditions, and expectations, even when they don’t align with God’s heart. The Pharisees in Jesus’ time were experts at this, prioritizing religious rules over relationships with God and others. Jesus, however, wasn’t afraid to challenge them, often to the point of scandal.
When we focus too heavily on pleasing people or maintaining the status quo, we risk becoming more like the Pharisees than like Christ. Ministry that truly reflects Jesus will sometimes be controversial. It will challenge entrenched traditions, question misplaced priorities, and push against the comfort zones of the religiously complacent.
But here’s the hard truth: if your ministry never ruffles any feathers, you might want to ask yourself whether you’re more focused on preserving peace than on proclaiming the gospel. Are you willing to take the heat for standing firm on what truly matters—loving God and loving people? Are you prepared to offend those who value religious rules over genuine faith?
Jesus’ example shows us that offending the Pharisees isn’t about being rebellious for its own sake; it’s about courageously choosing God’s will over human approval. It’s about staying true to the gospel, even when it means losing favor with those who hold power. This kind of boldness isn’t easy, but it’s essential if we want our ministry to be more than just noise—it must be a prophetic voice calling people back to the heart of God.
3. Be Ready to Love the Sinner: Embracing the Cost of True Ministry
Jesus was notorious for associating with those whom society rejected—the tax collectors, the sinners, the outcasts. He didn’t just tolerate them; He loved them deeply, offering grace where others offered judgment. But this radical love came at a cost—it damaged His reputation, alienated Him from the religious elite, and ultimately led to His crucifixion.
In today’s ministry, loving the sinner still carries a price. It might mean welcoming those who don’t fit the traditional mold of your church community, standing up for those who are marginalized, or extending grace to those who have failed. True ministry isn’t about preserving your position, power, or comfort; it’s about being willing to sacrifice those things for the sake of love.
This kind of love is costly—it might mean losing your standing in certain circles, missing out on opportunities, or even facing opposition from within your own community. But it’s also transformative. When we love like Jesus loved, we become conduits of His grace, mercy, and redemption. We show the world that the gospel is not just a message; it’s a way of life that upends the world’s values and brings healing and hope to the broken.
In a culture that often values power over people and comfort over compassion, loving the sinner is a radical act of faith. But it’s precisely this kind of love that Jesus calls us to—a love that doesn’t count the cost but embraces it, knowing that in doing so, we reflect the very heart of God.
Conclusion: The Balanced Ministry
A balanced ministry is one that reflects the full spectrum of Christ’s heart—His passion for truth, His commitment to love, His courage to confront, and His devotion to communion with the Father. Like Mary, we must prioritize knowing Christ and living in the light of His character. Like Martha, we must serve with diligence, but not at the expense of our relationship with Him. And like Jesus, we must be willing to offend the Pharisees and love the sinner, no matter the cost.
This balance isn’t easy, but it’s necessary if we are to fulfill our calling in a way that honors God and draws others closer to Him. In the end, it’s not about choosing between Mary and Martha—it’s about embodying the best of both, anchored in the unshakeable love and truth of Christ.
If you want to learn more about balancing your relationship with Christ with your ministry, or if you want to connect with others who are pursuing the same goal, reach out!
