City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“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.’”

-Luke 10:38-42 ESV

Reflection

Jesus and His disciples were on their way to Jerusalem for Passover (Luke 13:22). They needed a place to rest on their destination, and they stopped at Bethany. Martha was the one who invited Jesus in, but she had no time to talk or listen to Him. She had to prepare dinner for sixteen people (Jesus, the twelve disciples, Mary, Lazarus, and herself), which included heating up the oven before using it and making bread from scratch, and on top of that, she had to prepare sleeping arrangements for her thirteen guests. She’s checking off her hostess list while Mary is sitting with Jesus and His followers listening to His Words. Martha becomes so mad and frustrated that Mary isn’t contributing she actually demands that Jesus, her Guest of Honor, tell her sister to help her!

Jesus knows Martha is feeling burned out and does not rebuke her, but comforts her. As the video clip from The Chosen says, acts of service are valuable, but listening to Jesus’ Words and being present with Him are more important. All things of this earth will slip away, Mary chose Jesus’ words which cannot be taken away but will last forever (Matthew 6:20).

Application

Not much has changed since then, it’s difficult to have a Mary mindset in a Martha world. Although we’ve invited Jesus in, it can be too easy to forget to be present with Him, even when we do acts of service in His name. Add in work, school, grocery shopping, dropping off the kids for play dates or soccer practice, and the distraction of the content on our phones; it’s a lot to keep us occupied.

“33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things [your needs] will be added to you.”

-Matthew 6:33 ESV

As Aisha said in last week’s devotional, God cares more about His relationship with you than what you do for Him.

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

-Matthew 7:22-23 ESV

God values acts of service done in His name, but, and the above verse shows a VERY big but, God values His relationship with you much more.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, acts of service for Your Kingdom are very important, but let my relationship with You be the most important thing in my life. In Your name I pray, amen.