Mary's Choice

Luke 10:38-42 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. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 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. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Two sisters and a brother lived in Bethany, a village near Mount Olives, in Israel.  The two sisters were, Mary and Martha, and their brother was Lazarus.  Jesus had a close friendly relationship with them.  Martha, probably was a widow and was looking after the household, and domestic affairs.  Martha received Jesus kindly and extended to him great hospitality. She also cooked food for him, when he was at their home.  When Jesus was at their home, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him, as he taught her the Word of God.  Sitting at the feet recalls great humble attitude of a person, as a learner from the teacher.  In Acts 22:3 we read how Apostle Paul sat down at the feet of Gamaliel and learnt the word of God.  It reads, "I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day". This attitude shows a very humble posture of the person, who can be called a "student". It can also be seen how a person freed from the devils, at the command of Jesus, sat at the feet of Jesus. Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.  Martha was busy cooking food and taking care of domestic affairs, and thought that was the best way of serving Jesus, while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to learn from him the Word of God and also letting Jesus feel that he was not left alone.  While Martha cooked food for him. Mary gave all the reverence to Lord Jesus as he deserved in their home as a guest, yet, Martha's anxiety grew greater, perhaps, as she was employed to please the Lord by worldly food, while Mary did not care about what Martha was doing.  Martha was rather annoyed on Mary, who was not helping her in taking care of domestic affairs, and, therefore, came down to Jesus and talked to him in a complaining tone, that he did not care for Mary's non-helping attitude and leaving the entire household and domestic affairs to her.  Lord Jesus knowing the thoughts of Martha, said to her, that she was obsessed with many things; nevertheless, Mary chose the right thing, which shallnot be taken from her.

Holy Bible says, in 1 Timothy 4:8 "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come".

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It is seeking the Lord's will and seeking the Kingdom of God, that pleases our Lord Jesus more than the worldly things that one seeks after.  The seeking after worldly things may indirectly point to serving Lord Jesus, yet, they are not the things, that God wants from us.  It is seeking him and him alone and working for him alone that pleases our Lord. God will not allow his children to be plucked away from his hands. John 10:28-29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

• It is dangerous to concentrate our efforts more on worldly things, and seeking God in a worldly way.
• It is very important that we give our utmost attention to the Word of God, than seeking the world.
• It may require us to forego worldly employment or pleasures for the sake of the Kingdom of God
• Neglecting the World of God will lead to dangerous situations. Mary rightly thought of serving Jesus.
• Nourishing the soul, and its needs are more important than the worldly things that are transient.
• The greatest ornament a woman can aspire for is piety and love for Lord Jesus -  Mary did that.

Dear Friend,
Believe in Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Savior. Be born again to receive eternal life. What does it mean to be born-again? John 3:3-5 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God".

God bless you.
Leslie M. John