Luke 10:38-42 NASB1995
38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered into a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Martha was distracted. She had a very important guest in her home and had committed herself to feed several people, which is no easy task. It’s understandable she would be focused on the details, making sure everything was just right.
Mary was not in the place where it was culturally acceptable for a woman to be. In the days Jesus was here on earth, it was not considered proper for a woman to sit at the feet of a rabbi listening and learning. Women were not educated and were not highly regarded in the culture of the day.
Martha resented that her sister was shirking her duties and leaving her behind to do all the work of serving the dinner to their guests on her own. She was indignant, and she decided to use Jesus to rebuke her publicly. How surprised she must have been to not receive the answer she wanted! Instead, Jesus told her that Mary had chosen the good part for herself that would not be taken away from her, implying that is what Martha should have been doing herself.
Mary recognized that the guest in her home was more important than anything else, even doing what was culturally appropriate.
satan likes it when we’re busy, and he often sends distractions to keep us that way. Just as often, we put the distractions in our own way as well. We have work, families, ministry, church, pets, shopping, yard work, cleaning, cooking, friends, various activities, and so much more. Time is a very valuable commodity in the time we live in because it seems there is never enough time to get done all the things we need or want to do. We have needs to meet for ourselves, our employers, our churches, our ministry, and those we care about. And all of them have expectations of us that we want to try to meet. We even have expectations of ourselves, and the pressure is very high.
The point of Jesus’ answer to Martha is the same one He has made to me: don’t get so caught up in what you think you need to be doing, and what other people expect you to be doing, that you neglect to spend time with Him. The One whose opinion matters the most is Jesus. Whoever or whatever your opposition is, whoever or whatever is demanding your time, it is vitally important that you do not let it, or them, keep you from building and maintaining your relationship with Him. Your rest is in Him. Your peace is in Him. Your strength is in Him. Your comfort is in Him. Your instruction is in Him. Your joy is in Him. Your protection is in Him. Your salvation is in Him. Your purpose is in Him. Your future is in His hands, and He is the one who is in control of all things. He is your Friend, your Lord, your Master, your Savior, your King, and your God. Don’t be like the church of Ephesus and leave your First Love. He is vital to your survival in this world.
Matthew 11:28-30 NASB1995
28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
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