I am in the middle of teaching a Bible study to the women at my church. We are studying the life of two sisters named Mary and Martha. One thing I have learned over the years is that whatever I am about to teach…God is going to make sure that I have learned the lesson personally as well. I actually love that! But, to be honest, it is also very hard.
There is a familiar account of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus is coming to the home of these two sisters, which had to be quite an ordeal. We’re talking about Jesus here, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The most famous and highly recognized person to ever set feet on this earth. God in the flesh. More important than President Obama and more endearing than Queen Elizabeth too.
God in human form.
His name is Jesus.
Fully God and fully man.
Imagine it for a moment. God Himself coming to hang out with you. I think most of us would react like Martha. We would be running and scrambling about. Mashing potatoes. Peeling carrots. Making sure we had plenty of wine.
Of course, we would want to make a good impression! Jesus is the Chosen One. We would polish the silver and scrub the baseboards…and even vacuum under the rug.
It is so easy to get caught up in how we appear before others. We tend to focus on the outside. But Jesus peered right through the exterior, and catches a glimpse at Martha’s heart.
“And a woman namedMartha 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.” Luke 10:38-42 (emphasis added)
Jesus offers us a better way. He is our Good Portion. When we openly admit that we are broken, then we will be healed. When we admit our struggle with anxious thoughts, then the peace will come. When we stop trying to live life independently, then we become solely dependent on Him.
The most important thing you can do today is to spend time with Him. Choose Him. Because He will not be taken from you.
Will you choose Jesus today as your Good Portion? How is He speaking to you?