“‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41, 42).
Have you ever wondered why the Lord cares so much about knowing you personally? The answer to that question is wonderful to me.
Luke tells the story of Mary and Martha, sisters and friends of Jesus. Jesus was teaching people in their home. Both women loved Jesus. Both wanted to please him, but they did so very differently.
Mary was thrilled when Jesus came to spend time at their house. She sat in the same room where Jesus was teaching so she would not miss a single word. She wanted Jesus to know that everything He said and did
was important to her.
Martha tried to please Jesus by making gracious arrangements for the guests He was teaching. She kept busy providing food and setting out chairs and so forth. Entertaining guests and making them comfortable can be tiring. She soon grew exhausted.
Finally, Martha went to Jesus and asked Him to have Mary help her. “She will do it for Jesus,” Martha probably thought, “even if she will not do it for me.”
When she made her request, Jesus’ answer surprised Martha. He said that Mary had chosen the most important thing by listening to Him.
In serving Jesus, He wants more than anything else for us to listen to Him and have time with Him. Far more than work or projects, Jesus wants us!
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines.
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
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