Luke 10:38-42
At the Home of Martha and Mary
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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Worldly things, such as our jobs, our hobbies, things we like to do can be a trap for us...We can get so caught up in an activity that we miss certain things...We must be aware of this and the choices we make daily...
Jesus was at the home of Mary and Martha...Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to what He said...Martha was taking care of being a hostess, serving the LORD with His needs (as well as others) as a hostess...The first time I read this, I did not see why Mary couldn't get up and help (after all James in his New Testament book, teaches us about being proactive and doing deeds)...But Jesus clears this up for me...He doesn't say that Martha is doing anything wrong...Jesus is not putting down hospitality or work...He is not putting down her zest to serve others at this get together...We everyday have to make choices in life...What He does is compare the two things Mary and Martha are doing...Mary is listening to Jesus speak...Martha is working about the house, doing all the preparations of the house as hostess...Martha is even a bit distracted and anxious by the company and all the things she has to do as the hostess...This can be a stressful situation...Those who host parties and holiday get togethers know this...Jesus understands this and tells her "you are worried and upset, about many things"...
It is so easy to get caught up in the everyday busyness of life itself...Jesus tells us of the two things that are happening with the sisters Mary and Martha...Mary is listening to Him...Martha is being a hostess...Of these two things, the priority is listening to Him...It (Mary's listening) also will not be taken away from her...Mary certainly would learn things that she would not have learned, had she not been listening to Him...Martha on the other hand is working at a hectic pace and is not learning anything about the spiritual Father or His Son...She does learn something that day, something Jesus teaches here...Martha has learned things of this life will be taken away from us and are less important than His teachings (Mary listening to His word, will "not" be taken away...His word is eternal)...It is better to follow His guidance and serve God than to be busy and lead a hectic, distracted life...Jesus when ask, would rather we listen to Him intently, than to be waited on...
We learn that it is good to make time for God...It is always the right thing to do to make time for our LORD...