Excerpt: Scripture Our verse for today is in Luke 10:42, "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." Background We make a lot of choices every day, whether we…
Scripture
Our verse for today is in Luke 10:42, “But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Background
We make a lot of choices every day, whether we realize it or not. If you sleep about seven hours a night, then you are awake for around 1,000 minutes each day. Even if you make only one choice a minute, that is still 1,000 choices you have made that day. And the same was true for Mary and Martha in their day. They had plenty to decide between, and their own personalities had a hand in what they chose. Martha worshipped as an impetuous servant. She was the one to run out and meet Jesus when He was coming to heal Lazarus. She scolded Him for arriving too late but immediately worshipped Him by saying God would do whatever He asked. She reminded Jesus that Lazarus would stink after being dead four days. She prepared and served the meals whenever Jesus came for a visit. She seemed to have a little of Peter in her. Mary, on the other hand, worshipped in a different way. She stayed at the house when Martha ran to meet Jesus, perhaps struggling with how her Savior could let dear Lazarus die. She went to Him when He called for her, but she, too, scolded Him for being late. She sat at His feet as He spoke in the home, and when He visited one last time on His way to the cross, she anointed His feet with oil and wiped them with her hair.
Application
Now, Jesus never says that Mary is better than Martha, or Martha does more than Mary. When Martha complains to Him, He simply says that Mary has made the better choice. Martha had elevated her style and method as the right way, the best way. But Jesus said something else was better. And we do the same thing. Our personalities and our choices become our standard for what’s best. We want to conform others to our Christianity, not to Christ. Martha complained, but Mary was silent. Mary was anointed with oil, and Judas complained about the lost revenue. The crowds said, “Crucify Him, ” but Jesus said nothing. Let Martha be Martha, and Mary be Mary. Just keep choosing to bring your heart to the feet of Jesus.
Charge
As we seek Him today, choose what is good. Serve. Choose to speak up. Choose to be silent. Choose to sit and worship. Choose to do what He asks.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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