Mary and Martha: What Is Better?

Life today is busier than ever. We rush from one task to another, juggling work, family, church, and countless responsibilities. In the midst of our busyness, how often do we pause to ask: What truly matters? This is the question at the heart of today’s devotion. Mary and Martha, each respond differently to the presence of Jesus in their home. This short but profound section of scripture causes us to reflect on our priorities and what it means to live a Christ-centered life.

The text is Luke 10:38-42, “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The story begins with Jesus and His disciples arriving at a village where Martha opens her home to Him. Hospitality was an important part of Jewish culture, and Martha’s eagerness to serve reflects her commitment to this tradition. She immediately busies herself with preparations for her honored guest. Meanwhile, her sister Mary does something unusual: she sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching. This was the posture of a disciple, and in that culture, it was rare for women to assume such a role. Yet Mary prioritizes being with Jesus over fulfilling societal expectations.

Martha becomes frustrated, overwhelmed by the demands of hosting. She sees Mary sitting and listening and says to Jesus: “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (v. 40). Her words reveal her frustration, but also her misplaced priorities. Martha’s distraction wasn’t caused by her tasks themselves but by her heart. She allowed the work to overshadow the reason for the work. In her desire to serve Jesus, she missed the opportunity to simply be with Him.

How often do we, like Martha, become so consumed with doing things for Jesus that we forget to spend time with Jesus? Our service is important, but it should flow out of our relationship with Him, not replace it. In contrast, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet. She recognizes the value of His presence and teaching. When Martha complains, Jesus gently corrects her: “Martha, Martha,” He says, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (v. 41-42).

Mary’s choice to prioritize time with Jesus demonstrates her understanding of what truly matters. Her devotion is a model for us: in the midst of life’s busyness, we must make time to sit at the feet of Jesus, to listen to His Word, and to be renewed in His presence. Spending time with Jesus is not a luxury; it is a necessity. How can we serve Him effectively if we are not first grounded in Him? Let us carve out time each day to read Scripture, pray, and worship, seeking His presence above all else.

This passage is not a condemnation of service. Serving others is a vital part of our faith. However, Jesus teaches us that our service must stem from a heart grounded in Him. When our priorities are in order, our service becomes an act of worship rather than a source of stress.

Imagine a lamp that shines brightly but is not plugged into the power source. No matter how much effort we put into making the lamp work, it cannot fulfill its purpose unless it’s connected to the source of power. In the same way, we cannot fulfill our purpose unless we remain connected to Christ. Mary and Martha remind us of the tension between doing and being. Martha’s service was valuable, but Mary’s devotion was essential. Jesus’ words challenge us to evaluate our priorities: Are we choosing what is better? Are we making time to sit at His feet and hear His voice?

Wrapping up lets ask the Lord to help us balance our service with devotion. Let us seek His presence above all else, trusting that as we do, He will equip us to serve Him and others with joy and purpose.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that in the midst of our busyness, You call us to what is better, to sit at Your feet and hear Your voice. Help us to prioritize our relationship with You above all else. May our service flow out of hearts that are grounded in Your presence. Teach us to choose what is better, and let it not be taken away from us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.