It is that glorious day. New Year’s Eve!!!!! 2020 will soon be in the rear-view mirror forever. What a year it has been. It is ironic that this passage is the passage for today. Jesus is visiting some new friends, (Mary, Maetha and Lazarus). Mary is taking in the teaching of Jesus, while her sister is busying herself with the duties of a hostess. After a time, Martha is frustrated and comes to Jesus to have Him get her sister off her lazy seat and help. After all, Jesus should see it simply is not fair for her to do all the work; right?!!?
Jesus does not provide the answer Martha wants. He lovingly responds to Martha that it is Mary who has properly prioritized her day…WHAT??? Martha was just being a good hostess and caring for the things that had to be done…Or was she? Martha stood in the very presence of God and she was more concerned with the napkins being properly placed and the floor being swept. In the kindest way Jesus could, Jesus told Martha that being in God’s presence was so much more important the daily housekeeping duties.
In our world, we are constantly pushed by the tyranny of the urgent. We become so entrenched by the things we think we need to do, that we completely miss God’s best for our lives. Sadly, even our religious pursuits drag us away from the very presence of the God we serve. Jesus told Martha and is telling us that we need to be more concerned with being with the Father than we are for checking off the list of things to do for our Father. Like Mary, we need to listen to the Lord’s word and input in our lives, and simply trust and follow His lead.
We will never be busy enough or check off enough boxes to please God. His pleasure is derived by our simple presence. In 2021, we need to make Matthew 6:33 our New Year’s resolution, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and, all these things will be added to you.”
God Bless You
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[d] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who 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 anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[e] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Walking With God 