Luke 10:38-42 A "Mary" Christmas - Devotional Scripture

 

If ever there was a time to be a Martha, it's during the Christmas season. There is so much to be done and yet so little time to do it. It's easy to get caught up and lose sight of what's important.  We need to remember to have a Mary heart in a Martha world.

In  the book of Luke, chapter 10, Jesus and His followers come to the town of Bethany and Martha welcomes them into her home. Both Mary and Martha sit at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39) and listen to Him. But, as hostess, Martha was distracted with the many things she had to do. As thoughts ran through her mind she could sit there no longer.  She had to get busy!

Mary, excitedly, started the preparations for the meal.  She wanted everything to be perfect. Looking at the time, she realized there was no way she was going to finish everything she had planned to do.  Gazing into the other room she noticed her sister still sitting at Jesus' feet. Martha decides to take the matter to Jesus. “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 10:40-42

Jesus did not rebuke Martha for making the meal. Martha’s problem was not that she was preparing food for her guests. Her problem was that she placed too much emphasis on the food rather than relationships.  She was making a big dinner when something much simpler could have been prepared allowing Martha to sit at Jesus’ feet.

Mary chose the one thing that is needed. She chose to sit at Jesus’s feet and learn from Him and she did not allow other things to distract her. That is God’s order: we first love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind and then love our neighbor as ourselves (Luke 10:27). When we put our relationship with Jesus first before serving, then He equips us for service. When we turn that upside down, we end up feeling overworked and unappreciated.  As we keep our priorities in line with God’s, we find that He enables us to do what needs to be done with joy and satisfaction. This year, I hope you have a very Mary Christmas in this Martha world.