As a writer, when I put words to a situation or a scene I’ve witnessed, I try to incorporate details that help a reader to put themselves in the moment. Who was there? How many were there? Were there adults and kids present? What about dogs, cats or other animals? What did those people look like? What were they wearing? What was the mood of the scene – tense, joyful, chaotic? What drew the people to that place – a common belief? curiosity? were they there unintentionally?

There are many passages in the Bible that I wish had more of these details. Probably because I’m a concrete-sequential kind of person. I don’t like to leave anything unscripted. For example, I’d like to form my own picture of what Jesus looked like rather than relying on paintings portraying him as a bearded man with long hair.

The Message interpretation of the Bible helps fill in some missing details. And even then, I’m left with questions. Look at the Message version of Luke 10:38-40:

“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. ‘Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.’”

I still have questions: What does Martha’s home look like? How did Martha make Jesus feel quite at home? The big dinner was only one piece of it. Modern-day hostesses (not me) might offer him something to drink, a few appetizers. Maybe there is a fire in the fireplace and candles burning. After a long day of traveling, perhaps Martha gave Jesus a place to nap before dinner?

What about Mary? She was sitting at Jesus’ feet in a room full of men. Was she oblivious to the others around her? Were the disciples mumbling under their breath that Mary didn’t belong in their circle? What was Mary wearing? What did she look like? Was she the type that often tried to get out of kitchen duty (I can relate to that!)?

And, of course, there’s Martha. How many of us can relate to her and her “I-can-do-it-all” attitude at first and then her pity party later? What was she cooking? What did she look like? Was she wearing an apron? She was probably frazzled by her last-minute guests. How did she act out her worry? Was she in the kitchen pacing or talking to herself? Was she slamming pots and pans to make a point to unhelpful Mary in the other room? When she asks Jesus to tell Mary to come help her, what do you think his expression was? I sense he was compassionate. Did he touch her hand or her shoulder as he spoke? Did he smile reassuringly? (Did you know the only reference to smile in the NIV is in the book of Job?)

I guess there’s room for interpretation of the minor, scene-setting details in this passage and others. Thankfully, there’s not that latitude on important things like how to get to heaven.

John 11:25-26: Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”