The Good Part: Lessons from Martha and Mary
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is in Luke chapter 10 when Jesus comes into the home of Martha.
A Visit from Jesus
Jesus often visited His friends Lazarus, Mary and Martha, and He even raised Lazarus from the dead. This family of siblings were dear to Him.
The Story of Martha and Mary
Luke 10:38-42 tells us,
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.
But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
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.”
The Contrast Between Doing and Being
Notice the difference between Martha and her sister Mary:
Martha was “distracted with much serving.”
Mary “sat at Jesus feet and heard His word.”
Martha was up and about while Mary was sitting. Martha was worried and troubled while Mary was at peace listening to the Lord.
The Good Part
Martha asked the Lord to get Mary to help her with all the serving, but He explained Mary had chosen the good part, the better portion.
“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Martha was concerned with many things, but Mary was only concerned with one thing. The one thing Mary was focused on was sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to Him.
Martha was into doing, but Mary was into being.
The Eternal Value of Intimacy with the Lord
Jesus explained that choosing to spend time with Him would never be taken away from us. Service can be taken. Assignments from God will change. But intimacy with the Lord will last forever.
Our time spent with Him is never wasted. Jesus said it’s the one thing that’s needful. This is why I’ve noticed people who spend more time alone with the Lord out of love for Him have a deeper relationship with Him than people who are constantly busy running here and there serving Him.
The Privilege of Being Close to Jesus
Remember, Jesus gave the mysteries and hidden treasures of His Word to His few friends not the big crowd (Luke 8:10; John 14-16).
The Lesson of Mary
I want to be like Mary, choosing to spend time with the Lord and receive from Him from a place of humility. This is the good part which will never be taken.
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