Luke 10:41-42

Jesus showed concern for Martha’s anxiety (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35), but He did not do what she asked. The many things that bothered Martha were her excessive preparations for the meal. She had allowed her duties as hostess to become too burdensome. Apparently she wished to honor Jesus with an elaborate meal, but a simpler one that would have allowed her some time to listen to her guest would have been better. The few things in view were the things involved in simple entertaining. The one indispensable thing was listening to Jesus’ teachings, which reflects an attitude of dependence. Jesus was telling Martha that the one thing that Mary had chosen was more important than the many things Martha had chosen to do. The implication was that Martha should listen more and labor less. The good part that Mary would not lose was the blessing that comes to those who pay attention to the teachings of Jesus with an attitude of dependence on Him.

"Few things are as damaging to the Christian life as trying to work for Christ without taking time to commune with Christ. . . .

"If serving Christ makes us difficult to live with, then something is terribly wrong with our service!" [Note: Wiersbe, 1:213.]

This then was a lesson in priorities for Martha and all Jesus’ disciples. Jesus’ point was not that a contemplative life is better than an active life or that scholarship is preferable to domesticity. Giving humble attention to Jesus’ words is of primary importance. This is the better way to serve Him. This passage should be a warning to disciples who tend to be too active in Christian service and neglect the Word of God. It should also remind us that busyness, even with legitimate pursuits, can hinder our relationship with Christ. Disciples must make time to listen to and learn from Jesus. Everything that He says is important.

"This passage is also a key discipleship text-not in the comparison between Martha and Mary’s tasks, but in how Martha has wrongly judged Mary’s inaction and worries too much about what others are doing [cf. John 21:21]. The text has two distinct emphases: Martha’s consumption with assessing others as she performs what she is called to do, and Mary’s wisdom in seeking some time at the feet of Jesus. Both qualities, one negative and the other positive, are at the heart of discipleship." [Note: Bock, Luke, p. 305.]