That Good Part

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 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 one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:39-42)

The Martha/Mary incident was probably not an isolated one. I can hear Martha thinking, "This is what always happens! I get to do all the work, while Mary gets to have all the fun, and it's always been that way! Jesus, please straighten her out!!” But, as we know, it was Mary (at least in this instance) who had chosen what was right and good in the Lord's sight. She seized the moment, prioritized the presence of the Lord, and sat at His feet to receive anything and everything He had to share. Martha chose work, while Mary chose worship — "that good part."

 

Even today, many Christians are worried and troubled by the ills of the world and the work to be done to cure them. Yes, there is work to do, but not the work we think.

 

Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” (John 6:29) 

 

All our works must flow from our faith in Christ, not out of our sense of goodness, urgency, or duty. Before we set out to serve God, let’s receive the instruction He gives to those who sit at His feet. Only then are we equipped to do the works of the Kingdom. For now, sit still. Jesus is speaking.  

 

Let's Pray - Dear Father, may we always prioritize the value of sitting at Your feet. Down at Your feet, o Lord, is the highest place! Amen.