Edwin already said what I was thinking, though he did a better job of it. So, I’ll share some thoughts about another part of today’s reading.
In chapter 10:38-42, Luke records the following account:
‘Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And 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.””
Mary and Martha provide an interesting contrast. Martha was focused on doing what she always had – providing for the needs of her guests, attending to the many pressing concerns of this life. It was a big responsibility to care for guests in the appropriate way. How much more important to be certain that everything was perfect for this great teacher?! Mary, on the other hand, was willing to forget about these things and just sit at Jesus’ feet and listen.
Before Jesus entered the house, both women probably had similar feelings of excitement and anticipation. Word, surely, had reached them of the good things Jesus accomplished as well as some summary of the lessons He taught. They were probably both excited to talk with Him and hear some new thoughts from this great teacher or to maybe hear the same things of which they were told, but to hear it from the great Teacher’s mouth!
When the time came, Martha was still so set in making sure every little thing was perfect and every need was met that her opportunity was passing her by. This moment was passing too quickly and she was unable to pull herself from her routine to just stop and have hear ears and heart filled with wonderful words of life.
I never thought of it this way, but it would be wonderful to just sit and chat with Jesus. When we have guests over, by the time a meal is done, we’ll sit around the table or go sit by the fire and just talk about whatever is on our minds – just getting to know each other better. Even if Jesus wasn’t “teaching” it would have been marvelous to be able to simply enjoy His conversation. Mary did what I hope I would have done. She just sat and soaked it all in. Content to be close to Him and just enjoy the words of Jesus.
How often do we let this life get in the way of our devotion to God and service in the name of Jesus? It becomes so easy to fall again into our routine of waking, preparing for the day, heading off to whatever activities necessary to care for and provide for our families. By the time those are finished, we’re too tired to do much of anything except flake out and consume our chosen media. Then, another day has passed before we know it.
How easy is it to just be like Martha and get so caught up in our routine that we simply don’t notice the opportunity God has placed before us – for more time in study and prayer, for training our children to enjoy the beauty and wonder of God’s creation and His word, to stop and talk with someone that we’ve met who we notice is in need of His healing.
We need to be like Mary, to stop, sit, and listen. To open our eyes to the wonders all around us. We need to take advantage of the day with which we’ve been blessed so that we can grow in our relationship with God.
