Luke 10:41-42

And Jesus answered and said to her, “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

In the verses preceding, Jesus is visiting with His friends Lazarus, Mary, and Martha.  Martha has set about to get the place ready and prepare a meal.  Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to the Master.  At one point, Martha complains to Jesus that her sister has left her to do all the work and Jesus’ answer is found in today’s verses.  

As we go through the routine of our busy lives, there may be those time when the work just needs to get done, but in the doing, we need to focus not as much on the “how” we do things but the “why” we do things. Is our motive to get ahead or to please the Father?  Are we hoping we’ll shine through or do we want to glorify God?  Maybe we need to use that next lunch break not to catch up on overdue work, but to spend some quiet time at Jesus’ feet, …the better part.  Martha received her reward as soon as everyone said, “That was yummy!”  What Mary experienced in listening to the words of Jesus “…will not be taken away from her” ever.

Choosing that good part,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw