Every couple of years I am reminded of “one thing” and you know if the Lord reminds me, I’m going to remind you.
We’ve just completed the first month of the year and before we advance another week, I want us to stop and focus in on the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha.
“As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”
41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” Luke 10:38-42 MSG
Martha wanted Jesus to be comfortable, well fed and rested. Extending hospitality can be a lot of work – everything has to be perfect. The bread, the wine. Cheese and olives. Cakes to bake.
And where’s Mary?!
Looking out from the kitchen, wiping flour from her face, counting heads to know exactly how many need to be served, Martha sees Mary sitting in front of the guest of honor, hanging on His every word. Martha would love to be sitting there too but there’s just too much to do.
When Martha can stand it no longer, she complains. She actually makes a bit of a scene, complaining publicly about her sister. Surely, she thought Jesus would understand her plight. He would have Mary get up and join her in the kitchen to finish the meal but no.
Instead, Jesus addressed Martha’s busy-ness, pointing out her fussing and frustration. Martha had the Master Teacher in her home and instead of honoring Him with her time she complained.
Just a few days before, Jesus had taught his disciples on sowing seed and good ground. Jesus was teaching (sowing seed) and Mary’s heart was good soil for those seeds to be planted in. Martha, on the other hand, had thorny ground filled with the weeds of distraction and care.
Jesus’ words are clear, “One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”
I can identify with both these sisters. I want to hang on every word I read but sometimes I get distracted. There are mornings I sleep a little later than normal and feel rushed to get through my Bible reading. Other days I may be distracted by making my list for the day, doing some quick research on the computer, read a couple of emails and before I know it the day has taken me captive, and I’ve missed out on those moments of quiet communion, peaceful prayer and joyful conversation with the Lord.
That’s when I hear those words, “Kristi, Kristi – only one thing is essential, choose the good part”.
Join me in putting aside the busy-ness for these morning moments and spend time listening to the words of Jesus.
