Choose the Good Part

Note from today’s Bible reading: Luke 10

When Jesus came to the village where Martha lived, she welcomed Him into her home (Luke 10:38). Martha then proceeded to be the best host she could be and got to work serving Jesus and the other guests who were there.

While Jesus was in her home, Martha’s sister Mary sat at His feet to listen to the things He was teaching. Eventually, Martha became overwhelmed with her work of hosting. In exasperation, she said to Jesus, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40).

Martha was trying to be a good host for Jesus and the others who were there. Mary was not helping. Yet rather than encouraging Mary to stop listening to His teaching and help her sister, Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Martha may have had good intentions, but her priorities were out of line. Serving the guests in her home was certainly not wrong, but it should not have taken precedence over spending time with Jesus and listening to His words.

So choose the good part. Let us not allow our priorities to become misaligned to the point that inconsequential things distract us from what is truly important. A neat home and good food is nice, but spending time with others and learning from the Lord is better.