Reflection on Luke 10:38-42

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+10.38-42

Scripture

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her.”

Observation

Jesus and the disciples arrive at the village where Mary and Martha live. Martha is distracted by all the tasks which need to be done, but Mary sits at Jesus' feet listening to His teaching.

Finally Martha tells Jesus to tell Mary to help her with the work. Jesus tells her that Mary has chosen the better option.

Application

Those who are called to serve can often become frustrated by those who lack any sense of needing to help. It's all very well having the visiting ministry but somebody has to make lunch and wash the dishes. It is very frustrating when people who are capable of helping ignore the need right in front of them. The spiritual gifts of emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the toilets are very rare in most churches.

What Jesus is doing in these situations is exposing our heart attitudes and our motivations. Am I doing this thing to serve the Lord? Am I seeking some kind of recognition? So I do it from a reluctant sense of duty? Do I rejoice at serving God's work?

Of course it is not just serving that faces these challenges. Every God-given calling will challenge our heart in order to purify us and make us holy.

Prayer

Lord I thank you for the place you have called me to be. Expose my bad attitudes and poor motivations that do not come from you. Purify my heart and make me more like you. Amen.