SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS

Passage: Luke 10:38-42

Key verse: 42

NIV

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha(A) opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,(B) who sat at the Lord’s feet(C) listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care(D) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried(E) and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a](F) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named (A)Martha (B)welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called (C)Mary, who (D)sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 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.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are (E)anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen (F)the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:38 Greek he
  2. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

It is easy for us to get swept up in all our activities and lose our sense of priority. We often spend our time and energy on good things at the expense of the best things. Perhaps we work as hard as we can at our job at the expense of our families or even our relationship with God. If that is our situation, we have served the good instead of the best. Martha had a beautiful servant's heart for others, and she wanted to provide the best hospitality for the Lord and his disciples. However, her service consumed her. She became anxious and frustrated. She got aggravated with her sister for abandoning her and sitting with the Lord. If only Martha could take a step back and look at herself! She would have realized that she was neglecting her most obvious need, spending time with Jesus.

Jesus graciously corrected Martha. We too are overwhelmed with many things to do. Anxiety and stress often rule our lives. However, as Jesus said, really only one thing is needed. Mary understood her most important need and sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. That is all we really need - the word of God and the presence of God. When we sit at the Lord’s feet and meditate on his word, we receive the peace and strength we need to serve those he has called us to serve. Our stress and anxiety will be replaced with joy.

Prayer: Jesus, help us to live in your presence.

One Word: Only one thing is needed