Mary has chosen what is better

Luke 10:38-40, ³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

Luke 10:42, Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus and His disciples on their way came to a village. A woman named Martha invited them all to her home. Like a good hostess she became busy in providing a good stay to her guests. While her sister Mary, sat down next to Jesus’s and preferred His teachings to helping Martha in house work. Seeing her sitting idle, Martha complains to Jesus about it. It was either due to jealousy or anger on seeing Mary sitting idle and doing nothing to help her. It can also be her anger that had Mary helped her then the work could have been finished earlier and she too could have heard Lord’s teachings. Martha was distracted by many thoughts. Whereas Mary was calm and tranquil and paid full attention to the words of the Lord.

The Bible says that Martha was the one who invited the Lord inside their home. Hence the responsibility for a pleasant stay was more on her. Instead of grumbling and cribbing, Martha got busy in making preparations for her guests. From this we too can learn some valuable lessons:

This happens in normal households too. Being completely engrossed in the materialistic and worldly desires, we put a back seat on prayers, worship, adoration, reading the Bible and hearing sermons. John 6:27,²⁷ Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” Understanding the stress and various tensions going on in Martha’s mind our Lord Jesus Christ mildly instructs Martha to stop being worried about such things since they are not important.

1 Timothy 6:6-8,⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Proverbs 10:22, ²² The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

One house, two sisters. One sister distracted and stressed by the worries of this world. But the Lord praises the sister who listens to the word of God. The food that she receives from the Lord is one that cannot be taken away from her. Think then to what do we give importance???? Are we like Martha, caught in the snares of the material world and trap others also along the way??? Martha had the belief that Jesus would send Mary to help her in getting everything ready. Yet what happened what completely opposite to her expectations. Jesus reprimanded her in a instructive way. Unconditional love and care is very much needed and appreciated. But the Lord here teaches us we should priority and importance to knowing the way to Him rather than the ways of this world. Instead of taking this as mere instruction let us all make efforts to make it a part of our lives.

Acts 6:2 , ² So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.

2 Timothy 4:2, ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Matthew 4:4, ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.