A woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to Him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion,which will not be taken away from her. ~ Luke 10:39b-42 (ESV)
READING: Luke 10:38-42
Jesus came to visit His friends Martha and Mary (sisters of Lazarus). Mary honored Christ by sitting at His feet, while Martha worked hard to prepare an elaborate meal. But Martha became agitated and complained to Jesus, expecting Him to make her sister help her.
Jesus answered Martha lovingly, but firmly. She was upset by many things, He said, but only one thing was truly important – the thing Mary had chosen.
In church planting, it’s easy to let our service for Christ distract us from Christ. The word “distract,” used only here in the New Testament, means to “turn aside,” to stir up and confuse.
Worry distracts us from worship. Martha’s worry kept her from truly honoring Christ. Looking at others distracts us from looking at Christ. Poor Martha’s resentment of her sister kept her from enjoying Jesus. Dabbling in many things distracts us from the “one thing.” Martha did many things, but she missed Mary’s one thing – spending time in the presence of Christ.
Don’t let your hard work in serving Jesus distract you from the intimacy of your worship and fellowship with the Lord.
Jesus, Help me always to begin where Mary did – at Your feet – before I rise to serve You. Amen.
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