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Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
It is hard to read the above scriptures and not have an opinion. Was Mary being selfish, or unkind, in not wanting to help Martha with the preparations? Was Martha justified in being upset with Mary? Regardless of what we may think, what rings clear is that Mary made a choice. Mary chose Jesus.
When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:37, NIV).
To love the Lord with all your heart means that you love no one, or nothing, more than God. Nothing is more important to you than God.
To love the Lord with all your heart means that you take pleasure in prioritizing quality time to spend with God. Prioritizing time to pray. Time to read and meditate on scriptures. Time to know God better.
Luke 10:42 (NIV) states: but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
When Martha opened her home to Jesus, it was expected that she would have things to do to. But Martha allowed the things to be done to distract her, robbing her of the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus. Robbing her of the opportunity to listen to Him. To learn from Him.
How does this relate to us as believers?
There will always be something to do. Whether it be responsibilities to family, work, or church, for example. But we must know that, what we receive from time spent with the Lord is what empowers us to live a victorious Christian life.
May we never lose sight of our continual need for God.
May we never lose sight of the continual need to draw close to God.
Psalm 73:28 (NIV) states: But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domain.
