This piece of scripture has come to me a few times this month, from a few different places, so I wanted to share it with you this week.

38) Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40) But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41) And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Luke 10:38-42, KJV

This is such a powerful and telling story. Martha the older sister and Mary the younger sister; both taking the time to sit at the Master’s feet and listening to His voice. This is what it means to be in relationship with the Son of God. Taking the time to sit at His feet and listen to his His words is at the heart of knowing and communing with Him. Hebrews says, “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Mathew tells us, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that cometh from the mouth of God.”

Martha at some point after receiving Jesus formally into their home gets taken up preparing for His stay. Martha gets encumbered, busy, distracted with getting the meal prepared. No doubt she had to prep the sheets and tidy up and make sure the guest has everything needed. Hospitality was super important to Jewish culture and Mosaic law. These were appropriate concerns and important tasks that absolutely needed to be done without a doubt.

Mary took another route and made Jesus the priority and everything else a secondary concern. Martha was busy with things that were important but Mary was focused on that which was needful for the nourishment and communion of her soul. Work, family, church, friends, children, volunteerism, paying the bills, doing the laundry. The list of important things in our lives can go on and on and on.

Here is the lesson of the two sisters: If we are too busy to sit at the Master’s feet and focus on Him and His voice, then we are simply too busy. Period.