The good part
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”Luke 10:41-42
Reflection
Two sisters, two ways of loving Jesus. When He arrived at their house, Martha did what Martha did best: she ran to the kitchen, started preparing everything, wanted to serve the Master with excellence. Mary did something else: she sat at Jesus’ feet and stayed there, listening. And at a certain point Martha exploded — overloaded, sweating in the kitchen while her sister "did nothing", she complained to Jesus: "dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me". It is a complaint many busy people identify with instantly.
Jesus’ answer is tender but corrective — and note that He repeats her name with affection: "Martha, Martha". There is no harsh scolding there; there is a calling back. "Thou art CAREFUL and troubled about MANY things: but ONE thing is needful." Jesus was not condemning Martha’s service — serving is beautiful, and He Himself came to serve. What He was correcting was the INVERSION: Martha had let the work FOR Jesus take the place of being WITH Jesus. She was so busy preparing things for Him that she missed Him. Activity for God had swallowed intimacy with God.
This is one of the most subtle deceptions of the Christian life, because it disguises itself as virtue. It is possible to be so busy serving at church, caring for family, fulfilling obligations "for God", that no time is left to simply sit at His feet and listen. Martha represents the temptation of every sincere Christian: replacing presence with productivity. And Jesus’ warning is clear: no amount of service compensates for the absence of communion. Doing things for God can never take the place of being with God.
"Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Notice "chosen" — the good part is a choice, and a costly one, because there will always be a kitchen calling you, a to-do list screaming for attention. Sitting at Jesus’ feet is almost never the urgent option; it is the important option that urgency tries to run over. And note the promise: that part "shall not be taken away". Martha’s dinner would be eaten and forgotten the next day; what Mary received at Jesus’ feet remained forever. Today, in the middle of your "many things", hear your name called twice with affection. Before serving, sit. Before doing, be. The good part is available — but you have to choose it.
Prayer
Jesus, like Martha, I drown in many things — even good things, done for You — and I miss the essential: being with You. Call me back by name. Teach me to choose the good part, to sit at Your feet before running to life’s kitchen. May my activity never swallow our intimacy. Amen.
Put it into practice
Before diving into today’s rush, "sit at Jesus’ feet" for a few minutes: read a passage of the Word and pray in silence, BEFORE starting to do anything "for" Him.
To reflect on
Has your life with God been more like Martha (busy doing for Him) or Mary (present being with Him)? What needs to change?
Bible text: King James Version (public domain).