but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42
Come, if you will, help me prepare for our honored guest. Had I known Jesus would accept my invitation to eat with us, I would have picked fresh flowers for the table. Would you mind setting the table? Remember, you eat from the outside in so the salad fork goes first on the left side of the plate. The fork goes next. Generally, the napkin goes under the forks, sound familiar? Martha was in her element and very thankful for the opportunity to serve, Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus was being asked to come inside, Welcome! Martha scanned the room looking for her sister, Mary, to help her finish getting the meal on the table. Hoping it wasn’t so, she had to admit to herself it was real and that Mary was not coming to help. Why, she was sitting at the feet of Jesus! As Martha approached Jesus about her sister not helping, his reply was not at all what she was expecting. Our verse for today was His reply. Luke 10:42 praised Mary for sitting at His feet and basking in His teaching.
There is no shame or secret in enjoying folks in our home. Many friendships have been nurtured and bathed in prayer from someone’s kitchen table while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. And, there is nothing wrong with wanting things to be as lovely as possible. And yet, we see Martha imposing expectations on Mary that obviously Mary was not aware of and we see Martha becoming distracted by her preparations. Jesus had been speaking at the temple in Jerusalem. In Matthew 21 we read where he was ridding the temple of the money changers and robbers as well as healing the blind and the lame. He left there and went about two miles to the village of Bethany where Martha and Mary lived.
I cannot even imagine hosting Jesus in my home. I’d like to think I would be sitting at his feet listening and learning but if I’m being honest I would probably be Martha wanting everything just perfect.
How about you?
1. Would you invite him to your house? Why or why not?
2. What expectations do you have for your friends and family that they know nothing about? Is it fair for you to have expectations ?
3. How will you try to dispose of preconceived notions or expectations?
Prayer
Father God, may we have no expectations to trap our loved ones. May nothing get in our way of spending time with you. May we fix our eyes on you the author and finisher of our faith. Help me improve in this area.
Please read Galatians 6:1-10 from your copy of God’s Word for further study. If a Bible is not available visit www.biblegateway.com
