Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into
a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha
received Him into her house. And she had a sister called
Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word.
But Martha was cumbered about with much serving, and
came to him, and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister
has left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha,
you are anxious and troubled about many things: But one
thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part,
which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-42)
If Martha of Bethany lived in our times, she would be the best social director in the fellowship hall. She was a do-er, a real go-getter. She was the type of woman who noticed a
need and didn't wait for an invitation to get things done. The kind of woman we would want to be in charge.
If her sister Mary would have joined her in the kitchen that day, the chores would've gotten done much sooner, and then they could've BOTH sat up all night
listening and talking to Jesus. That seems only fair, doesn't it?
And of course we want God to always be fair!
Well, God is always fair, but His definition of fairness is not always the same as ours. I Samuel 16:7 tells us the LORD doesn't see as man sees; because man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.
Martha's outward appearance was one of service, but her heart had the wrong priorities: she put her chores ahead of the Lord.
Martha's walk with God had become more about doing acts of service, rather than worship. She was comfortable with her routine, perhaps even proud that SHE was the one who got things done.
Her routine service was comfortable to her; it was a role she was very good at.
But Martha's service had become an obstacle in her spiritual life.
Jesus wanted her to value her personal relationship with Him more than her acts of service. It's so easy to get caught up in "doing" for Jesus, instead of being with Him. Like Mary, we need to choose the better thing, sharing a
sweet fellowship with our Lord and Savior. There is always going to be more work that needs to be done, but nothing is as important to our spiritual life as spending time sitting at the feet of Jesus, and
listening to His word.
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