Luke 10:38-42 (NRSV)
Read Luke 10:38-42 on biblegateway.com
Verse 38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Verse 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. Verse 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." Verse 41But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; Verse 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Devotion
Jesus’ gentle rebuke of Martha’s excessive worries and distractions does not mean that we are never to do anything. “There is need of only one thing” may mean” keep the meal simple, one dish is enough.”
Martha illustrates the loving/working side of Christian living. Luther described love as “a busy and active thing.” E. Stanley Jones said that “Let go and let God” needs to be accompanied by “Let’s go! -- Let’s go to work, doing what Christ calls us to do.”
Mary and Martha coexist in authentic Christian living. Our lives should resemble an ocean liner, doing two things at the same time. While at rest in the sea, its engines are at work, not to lift itself but to do good for others. We are not only saved “by grace through faith.” We are also “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Prayer
Gracious God, as we rest our lives in your love, inspire us and empower us to be hard at work loving others. In Jesus' name, Amen.