Mary and Martha

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 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.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Preparation and Priority

What Martha was doing seemed like such a good thing. To be a good host and to serve Jesus. However, the purpose of having Jesus in the house is not about having a great “experience” but rather it is just about Jesus himself. It is almost as if her mind was thinking that in order for this to be a good thing, we need more than just Jesus. We have to have the meal and the proper table setting and all the extras in order for this to work out. Now there is nothing wrong with a good meal and a nice table setting and whatever else she may have been working on necessarily.

Response to Jesus

Notice the response of both women when Jesus shows up.