Luke 10:38-42 (Amplified Bible)
38Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.
39And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching.
40But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42There is need of only one or but [a]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[b]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
We all should know the story of Mary and Martha. There are some key areas I would like to focus on today.
First, we notice in verse 39 that Mary had seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teachings. How many of us women (men too!) can honestly say that we make reading and/or listening to the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ a priority each and every day? Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet because she knew what He had to say would benefit her not just at that moment but would carry her through even after He (Jesus) was long gone from their village. I don’t think she had an Android tablet or an IPad but I can just imagine her taking notes with vigor. She was listening with every fiber of her being. Her spirit was receiving that spiritual food only God Almighty could prepare. She was being fed. How often do you eat at the table of our Lord and Savior?
Secondly, we see in verse 40 that Martha is “overly occupied and too busy” and “was distracted with much serving…” We know in our lives, especially us women, when we invite friends or family over to our house we can have a tendency to want everything “perfect.” We run around making sure the floor shines, table cloths are ironed, groceries are bought, children clean, husband’s shirts ironed, attend the women’s auxiliary club meetings and book club fellowships, and pack up the kids and head to MOPS, etc. We can allow these everyday “errands” to distract us to the point we’re irritated, worried, frustrated and just down right tired. While Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet, Martha interrupts the Lord and says, “Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!” Now it would appear that Martha had gotten a little upset because she thought that Mary should be in the kitchen running around like a chicken with its head cut off helping to serve the Master. However, Jesus didn’t see it that way. We tend to “see” things a certain way and God sees things a little differently than we do. (See Ish. 55:9). I believe what Jesus desired for Martha was to relax. She didn’t have to work to try to please him. All He wanted for her was to sit at His feet and soak up the Word by which she could receive the strength and peace she desperately needed.
When our priorities are out of order, everything around us become disorienting. We need to take care of our selves like we should. We neglect the most important part as Christians – that is, spending quality time at the feet of Jesus (i.e. reading from or listening to the Bible followed by prayerful meditation.
This year my desire for you, and for me as well, is that we get our priorities in order and spend quality time in prayer and study of God’s Word before the start of our day. If you are able to use an audio Bible on CD or listen to the Word via a smartphone, then by all means, as you’re driving down the street heading to that next appointment, etc. allow the Word to minister to your spirit man as much as possible.
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May God richly bless you!
The HouseofTitus
