Day 94
Luke 10:38-42
While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.” (CSB)
In today’s passage we encounter two women. One named Martha and one named Mary and we see that Martha is so busy trying to make everything perfect for Jesus that she fails to take time to actually spend with her guest, while Mary, her sister, does find the time to spend with Jesus. Which leads to ask two important questions.
- What was wrong with Martha’s hospitality?
While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”—Luke 10:38-30 (CSB)
Nothing was wrong with Martha’s hospitality. However, her priorities were out of order. She was so concerned with the task of serving that she missed the greater importance of taking time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Life’s greatest priority should be to take in and reflect upon what God would have us do.
- If we all adored Jesus as Mary did, who would do the work?
But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”—Luke 10:40-42 (CSB)
Mary did more than just sit at the feet of Jesus. She undoubtedly took her turn serving. The tension here was not caused by Mary’s unwillingness to help but by Martha’s excessive preparation. Jesus said such extraordinary efforts were unnecessary. Our adoration for Jesus should lead to service—but in an appropriate, not extreme, way.
Tomorrow’s Bible Readings:
Deuteronomy 28, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 37:1-20 and Proverbs 12:18