38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
As Jesus continued His journey towards Jerusalem, He entered a village (called Bethany, John 11:1) where He was welcomed by Martha into her house. Martha had a sister named Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. Martha was distracted by the work of preparing food. She was concerned that she had been left to do all the work herself and appealed to Jesus to have her sister come and help her. Jesus told her that she was worried and troubled by many things but only one thing was necessary. The most important thing was to listen to Jesus’ teaching (Luke 9:35) and that is what Mary had chosen to do. What Martha was focused on was good. What Mary had focussed on was best.
Is your life more like Martha’s or Mary’s? Is your life filled with worry and work? Are you distracted by too full a schedule? Is your life so filled with school and work and activities and Netflix and Facebook and social media that you battle to find time to spend at Jesus’ feet listening? Or have you prioritised time with God and then allowed your work and serving to flow from that?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Young King Josiah: 2 King 22-23