I have spent the past few days reading through Luke 10:38-42. This passage is one that many Christians have heard of -- the story of two sisters. One, whose name was Mary, chose to sit at Jesus's feet, while the other, Martha, chose to scurry through the kitchen.
Many exhortations have been given through this scripture about the concept of work and business. We can learn from this story about the attitude that Mary and Martha had, but often we forget to look at the other character in this narrative and the attitude he had toward the situation. That third character was Jesus.
As Martha threw a tantrum in the living room, saying in Luke 10:40, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?" It's amusing how Martha readily makes the conjecture that Jesus didn't care, forgetting that she was talking to the God who came down as man to serve and save the lost.
How did Jesus respond to the two sisters? We can often think that Jesus responded in favoritism by reprimanding Martha and commending Mary. What we see in scripture is the immediate opposite.
With such love and gentleness, Jesus responds by saying, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things." The first thing Jesus expresses is His concern for Martha and the stress she was bringing to herself.
Maybe you find yourself in a situation where you're throwing a tantrum in the living room, burnt out from ministry, work, family or life as a whole, and you're saying "Lord, don't you care...?"
One thing is for sure: Jesus cares more deeply than you know. It's just that He doesn't care, scurry or worry about the same things we do. Martha was worried that Jesus and the disciples would have nothing to eat in her house even though the man who multiplied a few small fish and loaves of bread was in her home.
Jesus cares deeply and completely about people and the situation that they are in. Jesus cares about you.
Jesus goes on to share about how Mary had chosen the one thing that is necessary (v. 41-42), and that was to sit at His feet and listen to Him. I am once again reminded of Matthew 6:33, where Jesus says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
Are you frantically scurrying through your kitchen, your job, your ministry or your life? Where is Jesus at? When was the last time that you sat at His feet and chose the one thing that is necessary?
