Summary
The story of Martha and Mary shows us how important it is to fix our eyes on Jesus. Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, however she quickly becomes distracted by striving. It is so easy nowadays to be distracted and take our focus off the one thing Jesus tells us to focus on in this passage, HIM. In this story we see how Jesus praises Mary for living in a place of surrender rather than having a posture of striving.
Key Scriptures
Luke 10: 38-42 (TPT) - “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their journey, they came to a village where a woman welcomed Jesus into her home. Her name was Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Mary sat down attentively before the Master, absorbing every revelation he shared. But Martha became exasperated by finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.”
The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”
John 15:5 (NLT) say ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.’
Song Of Solomon 8: 5 (NIV) “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?”
Psalm 27:4 (TPT) ‘Here’s the one thing I crave from God, the one thing I seek above all else: I want the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace. I want to live my life so close to him that he takes pleasure in my every prayer.’
Follow Up Questions
1. Where have you stopped being with God in order to do more for him?
2. Does sitting at Jesus’ feet feel uncomfortable for you? If so why may this be?
3. Jesus loves to spend time with us and speak to us, how do we make this a priority?