And as they went on, it happened, He (Jesus) also entered into a certain village. And a certain woman, Martha by name, received Him into her house. And she had also a sister, called Mary, who also was sitting alongside, at the feet of Jesus, and heard His Word (His teaching). But Martha was distracted about much serving. And coming on she said, Lord, is it not a care to You that my sister left me alone to serve? Then tell her that she should help me. But answering Jesus said to her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, But there is need of only one; and Mary chose the good part, which shall not be taken from her.
(Luke 10:38-42)
Though we care for many things, however, not all things are needed.
The setting is Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem.
The focus is the Lord Jesus.
The object of the lesson is the two sisters, Martha and Mary. Both women are believers, and they both love the Lord.
Such is the Church today, those that are a part of the Church, for the most part, they love the Lord. However, there are those of whom their focus is working for the Lord, in doing many good things, rather than having a personal relationship with the Lord.
Doing good things doesn’t always means it is the best thing. Though there are many Christians today who are involved in the works of the Lord, but their spiritual relationship of worship of the Lord is limited due to the distraction of doing good things, but the doing of good things doesn’t always means it is the best thing to do.
Here was Martha, hosting the Lord Jesus as her guests, therewith, she went on preparing the meal, getting the house ready, taking care of the guests and the likes. Her sister Mary, began by doing the same, but with the presence of the Lord in the home, Mary left the works, by choosing to do the only one good thing, sitting at the feet of the Master to hear Him, the act of fellowship, praise and worship. In the Words of Jesus; there is need of only one; and Mary chose the good part.
Martha, like many Christians today, though they love the Lord and acknowledge His presence. However, they have replaced their relationship with the Lord, with works. Though commendable works, but works shall not suffice a relationship with the Lord, as Mary her sister displays.
She put all the care aside and sat at the feet of the Master, to hear, to learn and receive wisdom abundantly. Today, the Christian’s equivalence of sitting at the feet of the Lord, is done through a prayer life, the study of the Word and constantly seeking the presence of the Lord.
If Christ is not the center and the first in our lives, whatever work we think we are doing for him will be burdened with anxiety or agitation and with error. Note, Martha, anxious to work for the Lord, in so doing, she told the Lord what to do; “. . .Then tell her that she should help me” Concerning her sister. This is the condition of many Christians today, for the Lack of a proper relationship with the Lord, they are not hearing that which the Lord has to say. Instead, they are telling Him what to do in their lives, or that which they want.
The grace of the Lord is extended to all, neither did He condemned Martha. In a compassionate love, He reached out to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, But there is need of only one; and Mary chose the good part, which shall not be taken from her.
By the repeating of her name, He was saying, I do not care about your works, it is you I care about. We all have at one point in our Christian experience, placed work over relationship with the Lord, but like Mary, let us choose the good part. Note, the Lord said there is need of only one (good part) Not the many man-made works of the Church, and the only one good part or decision is made by the believer.
Consequently, those who chooses to abide beside the Lord in learning His words have chosen the good part, which shall not be taken from them.
That is to say, the Holy Spirit of God, will nourish and guard the right choice the believer makes, by leading he or she in all truth.
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🎨PSW·3✒©