At His Feet
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
Martha was distracted with much serving. 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.”
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42
INSIGHT
Is anybody else consumed with busyness? Unfortunately, everyone could probably raise their hand. We do our best to argue that this world and culture provide us more opportunities than ever to be busy, but ultimately it’s a choice. We make a choice every day about our schedules. What we say yes to determines our busyness. I often face the temptation to fill my days with tasks and assignments that leave me exhausted with no capacity for anything else.
If you are a Christ-follower, you might feel that same tension. For whatever reason, it seems that our investment to grow closer to Jesus slowly gets pushed out when our schedule is busy. The temptation to over-schedule may always exist, but our awareness of it will help us catch the temptation. Today's story sheds light on how Jesus helps us in our busy lives.
I see a lot of myself in Martha. She did what any person would do if a celebrity/potential Messiah were coming over: she got to work. Martha was working away in the kitchen, cooking the meal of her life with all the trimmings. She laid out her finest plates and cutlery for what was sure to be her moment to shine for Jesus truly. Despite all that she was doing, the most stressful part for Martha was her sister, Mary. Luke witnessed and recorded that Mary was sitting with Jesus. We immediately join Martha's side and feel sorry for her while looking down upon her slacker sister.
Martha was doing her best to make everything perfect for Jesus, while Mary was arguably contributing nothing to the evening. Martha shared her justified frustration and wanted Jesus to teach Mary a lesson about hospitality. Little did she know she would get an even greater lesson.
Jesus taught Mary, and Jesus wants to teach us, that our priority in everything should be our relationship with Him. In fact, from the words Jesus used, Mary was doing the only necessary thing that night. Mary chose the excellent task of being with Jesus, and listening to His every word.
Jesus revealed to Martha what hangs in the place of our busyness: anxiousness and trouble. A busy schedule can point to and cover up the reality of our anxiety. Many of us are escapers, believing that our worries and concerns cannot catch us if we don't slow down long enough to breathe. Jesus revealed a place where anxiousness and trouble cannot have their power: with Him.
Mary found everything she needed by sitting with Jesus; her sister's anxiousness and trouble did not control her. Mary may not have realized it, but she chose to be at the Prince of Peace's feet. Mary did not spend her night trying to win Jesus over with the atmosphere and dinner; rather, she invested her energy getting to know Jesus. She wanted to be with Jesus. Strange enough, the best seat in the house that night was at His feet. This is the best place for us to be as well. Jesus invites us to be with Him, and Jesus made the first move when He demonstrated His love with His death and resurrection.
Anxiousness and trouble are often helpful warnings for our capacities. If we feel anxious and concern creeping into our lives, they might be warning us that we are not spending enough time at the feet of Jesus. What we lay down at His feet, we no longer have to carry. When we feel that tension to carry our schedule's weight, may we be reminded of the invitation Jesus extends to us.
REFLECTION
Does your schedule wear you down?
What can you say “no” to in order to find time to be with Jesus?
PRAYER
Father, thank you for being my resting place. When I am overwhelmed, anxious, and troubled, may I run to You. Rather than continually throwing myself at more tasks and events, help me to come to You. As I rest at Your feet and listen, I pray I would reprioritize and build my life around what is most important. You are the better choice every time Father, and I pray this all in Your holy name, Amen.
Port City writer Davy Nance wrote today’s devotional.
