We know this event in the ministry of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The visit of our Lord to the home of Marth & Mary highlights a deeper spiritual lesson.
Contrasting their relationship with the Lord the two sisters, Mary & Martha teach us the difference between good & the best.
Their story helps us to choose between good and the best as we move into 2016.
Both sisters had the same opportunity & privilege to hear Lord Jesus.
One chose the good but the other chose the best.
I. BEING AT THE PROPER PLACE (39-40)
Mary chose the best seat in the house at the feet of the Lord to listen to His teaching.
She could have chosen to help her sister in household chores but preferred to be with the Lord.
Her choice was appreciated by the Lord Himself.
Martha went to the kitchen & lost the greatest opportunity to listen to the Lord of Creation.
She had in her heart to serve the guests with a good meal which is not bad at all – that’s what everyone does – that’s the way of the world.
Martha chose the best in her mind to serve the guest rather than listening to the Lord.
Being in the right place for Martha was the kitchen not at the feet of Lord Jesus.
We observe that Marth was distracted and worried about preparations.
She was kind of a perfectionist like many of us – she was distressed & complained to the Lord about Mary.
II. BRINGING THE RIGHT ATTITUDE (41-42)
Lord Jesus understood Mary’s anxiety – He is calming her nerves by calling her name twice.
Lord says Martha was worried and upset – it means she was under great stress.
We can easily identify her situation and feel that it is so natural for anyone to be in stress.
In verse 42, Lord helps not only Martha but also each believer in today’s world.
In life we need few things to live but one thing tops the list to sit at the feet of the Lord.
Both sisters were in the same house with Lord Jesus but only one was really there.
Application for 2016
Many times we fail to hear God because we are so busy with our daily busy schedules.
We can understand from Martha’s point of view how much we stress out when we invite guests to our homes.
Martha’s priority was to serve her guest so what is wrong with it.
We may conclude that she chose the best seat in the house preparing food in the kitchen.
Our daily routine is good but we need to take the best seat at the feet our Lord first.
What Mary chose is rather difficult to apply to our life because it demands our time and attention to Lord Jesus Christ.
We practically have less time for God because other demands take priority of our lives.
We may be studying the word of God but nothing sinks into our mind.
The stress level in life keeps us occupied most of our time and deprive us the best seat at the feet of the Lord.
There is an illustration teaching us the big rocks to go into a glass jar first in order to fit other materials in the jar.
If we fail to put the big rock first we can never put other things into the jar later.
Our big rock in our life is Lord Jesus Christ.
We should not add Him to our daily schedule but put Him first than any other thing.
Let us prioritize our daily schedule keeping Lord Jesus first which is the best seat.
Then all our ‘good things’ the Lord will make them ‘best’ for us in 2016.