Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
One of Jesus’s favorite places to hang out was at the home of his good friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. It was at Lazarus’s tomb that Christ was said to have wept because of his dear love for them. On the occasion above Jesus comes over and Martha decides to make a meal for Jesus. Her sister Mary, on the other hand, is just sitting at the feet of Jesus soaking up his amazing words of wisdom and life. Martha responds to this much like I would. She says, “Hey Jesus, I’m over here working my tail off for you and Mary is just sitting there doing nothing. Could you tell her to get up here and help me?!” Jesus, in the way only He could, responds to Martha in a gentle and profound way and reminds her that sitting at his feet is the most important thing she could have been doing at that very moment. I can just hear Jesus saying, “Martha, Martha, Martha….”
Have you ever told Jesus what to do? Do you try to do things for God in place of just knowing Him? Then you’re a Martha (by the way, I am a lot of times too), but the Lord Jesus wants us to first be a Mary before we’re a Martha. God is not impressed by what we do for Him. He is infinitely more interested in the condition of our heart than the performance of our hands. Our first responsibility as believers is to just sit at His feet and listen to His life-changing words and receive of His transformational power and peace. I challenge you to first be a Mary, then you can serve like Martha. Works not born out of worship are in vain. Works born from worship glorify God. So, today, stop trying to prove your worth through what you do for God and rest in His incredible steadfast never ending love!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, thank you for loving me extravagantly. Your love never fails. Lord, help me rest in your love. I choose today to serve you out of a heart compelled by love. Amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Lamentations 3:22-23 – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.