WHICH IS BETTER

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 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 10:41, 42

It is easy to imagine the pressure Martha was feeling.

In her village home, she was hosting a large group of dusty, hungry people. There was so much to organize. And she was preparing a meal for Jesus and His disciples! Adding to her exasperation was the glimpse of her sister just sitting, listening to Jesus.

Martha probably wished she could stop to listen, but there were so many things to do. Instead, she asked Jesus to encourage Mary to do her share.

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40). In response, Jesus affirmed both sisters.

Martha had a valid point; it was not fair that she was doing all this work by herself. But Mary had chosen something better than the domestic worries that Martha was so worked up about. It was important that there be food for the group to share, but this was not the most important part of their time together. Luke’s Gospel does not tell us how this tension was resolved or even how all the visitors were fed and cared for that day.

But later in His ministry, Jesus returned to this village in response to the sisters’ message about the sickness of their brother, Lazarus. The mutual affection and respect between Jesus and Martha is notable. “Jesus loved Martha and her sister” (John 11:5).

Martha was the first to meet Jesus on His arrival, making this remarkable confession amid her grief: “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God” (John 11:27, NLT).

There might have been tension and worry in her earlier interaction with Jesus, but it was obvious that Martha had also chosen something better.