But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42
There are a lot things you can do in life, and a lot of them are good things. But, there is only one thing that is really needed. Are you doing that one thing?
I love this passage of scripture because it shows us how backwards we tend to be. In the story we see Martha doing such nice things. She has invited Jesus over, she has prepared the food, and now she is serving Him and His disciples a nice meal. She is being hospitable and friendly. She is serving God.
But not Mary. Mary is sitting down at the feet of Jesus and listening to Him. She is doing nothing. Finally, Martha speaks up, “Lord, please tell my sister to come help me.”
Listen to the Lord’s response:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Serving others is honorable, and it is something that we should be doing. Doing things for God is important, and we should do them like Martha was doing. But observe this: Jesus would have rather gone without eating. He would have rather had Martha put everything down, and come and sit at His feet and hear His word. Isn’t that right? Didn’t Jesus say that Mary had made the better choice?
Martha can be compared to so many people in the church that ‘do’ so much for God. They serve in the kitchen, they serve as ushers, they serve by watching the children, and these things are good, but if this is the only way you relate to God then you are missing the point. The whole point of all of this is the message. If we are missing out on the message, we are missing the main point. God would much rather us all sit in a room with white walls and folding chairs, listening to and revering His words, than for us to have a fancy building with lots of programs.
I’ve seen so many churches missing this. Many churches have as their main goal to turn you into a Martha. But God would rather you be a Mary.
Are you taking time to listen to God’s word? Are you allowing Jesus to speak to you through the bible? Or do you consider your religious duty complete because you serve at the church?
Take time every day to sit at the feet of Jesus. It is the most needful thing. Everything else is secondary.
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Hal Chaffee 