Daily Devotional for Sunday, February 22

The Counsel by Jesus

“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her,” Luke 10: 41, 42.

Growing up in church, I am no stranger to this account of Mary and Martha as many women’s Bible studies dug into this passage. People have tried to explain reasons why one sister was better or worse than the other. I dare say that we even use the names Mary and Martha to describe types of women within our churches. As I read through this passage again, it felt new. I realized I was reading it under a new light. Previously, I had been a single woman serving the Lord, identifying with Mary, but now, as a wife and a step-mother, I understood the frustration built up in Martha’s spirit, and I heard Jesus’ words a little differently.

By now you know that Martha invited Jesus, and probably His disciples, to come to her house for dinner or possibly even to stay for days. Either way, her sister Mary had left her to do the work of preparation and serving alone. Understandably frustrated, Martha told Jesus to rebuke Mary and send her back to finish working. In that moment, Jesus, who had been teaching Mary, turned his attention toward Martha and taught her a lesson we all need. He explained that Martha’s worry and anxiety about having everything prepared should not be a reason to take away the good thing that Mary had chosen. Like I mentioned, every time I studied this passage in the past, I put myself in Mary’s shoes, feeling like Jesus was defending me as I made impractical choices for the sake of serving the Lord. In my current season of life, though, I want Mary to get up and start helping, too! What we need to remember is that Jesus did not tell Martha to stop doing what she was doing. He simply said that Mary’s choice would not be taken away.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

Have you invited Jesus in just to work yourself away from Him? Do not forget to sit at His feet in awe and worship as you are spending your life serving Him.

Ashley Ridings