Reflection on Luke 10:38-42

Scripture
“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken from her.”

Observation
Jesus and his disciples arrive at Mary and Martha's place where they are welcomed with customary hospitality.

While Martha runs around doing all the necessary work for hospitality, Mary just sits at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching.

Martha gets frustrated and asks Jesus to rebuke Mary, but he refuses to do this, instead commending her for choosing the more important thing.

Application
This story is not about whether it is more important to do the spiritual stuff or the practical stuff. The fact is that both are important and sometimes the spiritual can be physical (such as cleaning the church for a meting) and sometimes the physical can be spiritual (e.g. feeding 5,000 people, healing ministry).

The important thing is that our heart is right so that we are doing the right thing from the right motives and with a right spirit.

When we are grumpy with someone else or in conflict with another, Jesus will not judge between us. What he will do is point out the attitudes in us that we need to change.

Whatever we are doing, let us ensure that it is always for God's glory not our own. However we serve Him, let us remember to truly have Him at the centre of our thoughts and not ourselves.

Prayer
Father, it can be hard sometimes to keep my eyes on you rather than on myself. At times I am tempted to compare myself to others. Please help me always to serve you with a pure heart. Amen.