As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
In the familiar story of Mary and Martha, we find valuable lessons about our priorities and the importance of spending time in worship. Many of us can relate to Martha’s situation—feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands and responsibilities, worrying about numerous things that seem urgent, and struggling to find time for God in the midst of it all. However, Jesus gently reminds us through this passage that taking time for worship and seeking His presence is of utmost significance.
Martha was preoccupied with the tasks and preparations, causing her to lose sight of what truly mattered in that moment—being present with Jesus. Similarly, our lives can be filled with distractions—work, family responsibilities, social commitments, and more—that pull us away from spending quality time in worship and reflection on God’s Word. It’s easy to be consumed by the busyness of life, leaving little room for spiritual nourishment.
Amid the hustle and bustle, Mary made a different choice. She recognized the unique opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His teachings. In doing so, she revealed her heart’s priority—to be in communion with the Lord. Worship is not just about singing songs on a Sunday; it’s about positioning our hearts before God, seeking His presence, and aligning our lives with His will.
When Martha expressed her concern to Jesus, He responded with love and understanding. He acknowledged her worry and anxiety about many things, but He also highlighted the simplicity of what truly matters. Jesus was not dismissing Martha’s responsibilities, but He wanted her to understand that being anxious about everything would not bring lasting fulfillment. In fact, it might hinder her ability to hear and receive His life-changing words.
Jesus affirmed Mary’s choice to focus on worship. It was not a matter of one activity being better than the other; rather, it was about recognizing the priority of connecting with the Lord and drawing from His wisdom and strength. When we choose to set aside time for worship and devotion, we position ourselves to receive God’s peace, guidance, and transformative power.
Like Martha, we may often find ourselves worrying about too many things and neglecting the time we should spend in worship. The story of Mary and Martha invites us to reevaluate our priorities and make room for intentional moments of worship in our lives. God calls us to find balance amidst life’s responsibilities and to seek His presence above all else.
Let us be like Mary—choosing what is better—prioritizing moments of worship, prayer, and reflection, and allowing God’s Word to shape our hearts and minds. In doing so, we will discover the peace that surpasses all understanding and find strength to face the challenges of life with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. May our hearts be like an open sanctuary, ready to welcome the presence of our Savior, who longs to commune with us and lead us into abundant life.