But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her' " (Luke 10:40-42). "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 we should consider Jesus' evaluation of Mary's actions. This attitude, outlook and perspective is the kind of approach God desires in all His disciples. Who was the more hospitable, the more sociable? Who was more concerned about serving her Savior, Martha or Mary? It was Mary who simply sat at Jesus' feet, listening to Him talk. It was Martha who invited Jesus into their home. If one were to read no further, one could assume Mary may have been a little lazy, leaving the needs of hospitality and hostess to her gregarious sister. "And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word" (Luke 10:39). Martha appears to be the leader and the more hospitable and social of the two: "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house" (Luke 10:38). God recorded important examples for us in Scripture (1 Corinthians 10:11), so we can learn from Martha's and Mary's recorded actions. Nothing is wrong with being practical and efficient if it doesn't interfere with the more important things in life. Martha's words and actions depict her as practical and efficient. It is possible that Martha was older and that her age figured into her personality and perspective. Martha's outlook on life was quite different from Mary's. He appreciated the differences among His three friends and felt comfortable enough to offer constructive advice as to their priorities. When we visit friends and relatives we have a good idea of how they think and act. Their home, at Bethany just outside Jerusalem, might have been considered Jesus' home away from home.īut, though Jesus felt a deep affinity for all three, their personalities and perspectives differed. Jesus was at ease with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house" (Luke 10:38). Luke's account also shows the closeness between Jesus and this family. Jesus was so troubled by their anguish over their brother's death that He was moved to tears before raising Lazarus to life again (John 11:33). They spoke to Jesus as if He were a part of their immediate family. The four weren't just acquaintances they were close friends.Įarlier, when Jesus had come to resurrect Lazarus from the dead, He showed great respect and love for Mary and Martha (John 11:3, John 11:20-39). The Gospels record that Jesus felt comfortable in the home of Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus. In a world filled with distractions, the story of Mary and Martha can help you set your life in order. What did Mary have that Martha needed? What was the "good part" Mary chose? Why will the good part that Mary chose remain hers forever? Scripture doesn't record whether Jesus' response made a lasting impression on Martha's understanding, but we can hope this spiritual lesson-so inseparably linked to our priorities-will favorably impact us. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken from her' " (Luke 10:39-42). 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. "She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. Notice the exchange between Jesus and Martha: Nothing is said in the Bible account about the cordial greetings they exchanged, but an important lesson was recorded during that visit that should positively affect us. Jesus and His disciples arrived at the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha about mealtime.
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