Even though I have read the Bible story of Mary and Martha (and I know better) I’m a Martha.  Heaven help – that’s me!

Luke 10: 38-41:

³⁸Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰But 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.”

⁴¹And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. ⁴²But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

The dinner that Martha served that night was important.  It is duly recorded in the Bible as a teaching lesson for us to this day.  But that meal was just a meal.  Yes, she served the King of Kings dinner that night, but Martha would live on to serve countless other meals during her lifetime.  Yet Mary recognized the importance of just sitting with Jesus and listening to His words.

Notice the Parable of the Sower in Mark chapter 4:

⁷ And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.

 ⁹And He said to them, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

¹⁸Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, ¹⁹and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. ²⁰But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

See, Martha was distracted by the cares of this world; the activity of serving up dinner for God in the Flesh; Lord Jesus in their house!  Plus a large crowd of followers that hung out with Jesus.  The outcome of this dinner could make or break her status in the village.  And there sat her dreamy-eyed sister at the feet of Jesus.  Mary was actually hanging on His every word while she, Martha, was left to slave in the kitchen!  But Jesus’ Word was not landing in a briar patch.  Mary was eager to hear.  She wanted to learn and bear fruit in God’s service.

Sadly, this scene has played itself out in my life far too often.  Martha Me!  Do you get distracted by worldly activities instead of feeding your hungry heart with God’s Word?

Father, no more Martha Me! Help us to leave the chores and dine on your Word as our priority activity.  Thank you Jesus, for showing us the important stuff. Amen.

May your weekend be God-Blessed and Thank You for following Importantstuff.Live!