When I was in seventh grade, my math teacher showed me two separate lines that had arrows at their ends. One had the arrows pointed inward like this: >-<. The other had the arrows pointed outward like this: <->. My teacher asked me which of the two lines was longer and I answered that it was the one with the arrows pointed inward. He took out a ruler and measured them, showing me that they were identical in length! I took another look and—despite my teacher having just proved that they were the same length—stubbornly clung to the belief that my answer had been the right one.
I feel the same way whenever I read about Mary and Martha. Jesus makes it clear that what Mary chose to do was better at the time (Luke 10:41-42). But no small part of me still disagrees, believing that it was Martha who was the better and harder-working sister (Luke 10:40). Why would Jesus say that Mary was in the right? Wasn’t Martha being diligent?
There are many ways to understand Jesus’ answer, but one of the most convincing explanations comes when He says Martha was too “distracted” by all the preparations. The work she was doing was not evil in itself, but that work was keeping her from doing the one thing she needed to do—something that all believers in Jesus are called to do—spend time with Jesus.
I rarely look at spending time with Jesus in this light—as being the most important thing I’m called to do. But this practice shouldn’t be surprising because, in the account of the transfiguration from Matthew 17, God the Father instructs us to do one thing and one thing alone: Listen to Jesus! (Matthew 17:5). By His power, may we tune out the distractions today and spend time with Him!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 21:8-21
More:
Read Matthew 7:24-27 to see what it means to spend time with Jesus and do what He says.
Next:
Why is it important for you to spend time with Jesus? What are some practical ways you can do so throughout the day?
Gary Shultz on January 12, 2016 at 6:45 am
Don’t you love it when scripture seems to grind at all you know about it. I could never figure out why Jesus didn’t tell His parents He would be spending some time with the teachers at the age of 12. But do we know Jesus? He does not falter, He does not fail, so as we do life we just find out we missed something or we just don’t understand. Do we know who Jesus is or will we doubt because we can’t see clearly? This stuff pushes right to the core of belief, at least for me. I chose Jesus and figure He holds what I don’t see or know. He’s not 97% Jesus and Lord, not even 99%, He is all Lord, all God and always makes the right decisions. It would seem that our faith needs a little stretch from time to time just to keep our head in the game. Being not doing, believing not doubting. Thanks Peter.
peter chin on January 12, 2016 at 11:58 am
Thanks Gary – I think the ideas you describe lay at the heart of the Sabbath, how it doesn’t make sense, but that’s part of the point – to challenge our faith in the full control and wisdom of God!
gagirllive on January 12, 2016 at 8:25 am
I love this story. It seems that Mary is always found at the feet of Jesus….listening, worshiping, pouring out her love. But Martha has her own gifts and ways of expressing her love too! After all, she was the one who invited Jesus into her home…talk about hospitality! Martha has a servant’s heart. In fact, they may not have had a meal if it were not for her. But Jesus’ gentle correction to her was the same one I hear him often say to me…abide. When we make spending time with Him the priority, the serving will follow. Our stubborn hearts want to rebel against that because, like Gary mentioned, in our eyes doing seems more than just being. Your 7th grade math story was the perfect illustration for that, Peter. Thanks for reminding us to always choose sitting at His feet first.
peter chin on January 12, 2016 at 12:01 pm
I love how Jesus says her name, “Martha, Martha” – you can almost imagine his gentleness and love for this woman, and how he sees through her to her heart. This is an encouragement to me that even when I get it wrong, God still looks at me with eyes of love and compassion.
Tom Felten on January 12, 2016 at 9:51 am
Peter, having endured several times of forced rest seasons due to a battle with a chronic disease, I’ve found that those quiet seasons are rich in spiritual growth. We can learn so much about our priorities, God’s presence, and what’s truly important when God allows us to pull away from the crowds for a while.
Roxanne Robbins on January 12, 2016 at 10:00 am
For several years I put service above communing with the Lord. Though many people were “helped” through my efforts, I was left depleted and confused. I’m slowly learning the pitfalls of working or doing anything without spending intimate time with the Lord above all. Thank you for your wise counsel in this area, Peter Chin!
peter chin on January 12, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Yes! I have been on the same journey, and frankly, still am. There are still moments, even after seasons of burnout, where deep down I think that Martha is the better sister. Just goes to show how deeply the “hard work” ethic is buried in many of us. Praying that you would break free through intimacy with Christ!
jim spillane on January 12, 2016 at 12:08 pm
More listening to Him leads to more doing for Him.
sandy229 on January 12, 2016 at 10:38 pm
God wants us to spend time with Him. Spending time with Him is more important than anything we can do for Him. Jesus wants us to have an intimate relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. The more we know Him, the more we know what He wants to do through us. Obedience is important to Him, it’s an outward expression of our love for Him. The more we get to know Him, the more we know what He wants to do through us, and where He wants us to be.
In the NT, Jesus presents devotion as a matter of the heart. He contrasts sincere, heartfelt devotion with the external, hypocritical, pretentious practices of piety among the Pharisees. He warns His disciples against allowing even genuine, good works to distract from wholehearted devotion to Him. Devotion is a matter of developing an intimate relationship with the living God, learning the warmth of a life that draws near to His Father-heart.