“Mary has chosen what is better…”
Have you ever looked back and wished you had made a better choice?
I have tried to live my life without regret, but if I could go back in time, there are a few things I would have done and said differently.
I would have been kinder to myself when we moved. I would have, on many occasions, been more present over being productive (still working on this one). I would have sounded less like a drill sergeant and more like a caring teacher.
We can not change the past, but we can make better choices in the future. Jesus expressed the best choice to a dear friend who was frenzied about hosting guests in her home.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“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 10:38-42, NIV, bold added for emphasis)
Luke gives us a glimpse into a beautiful incident where Jesus flips the tables. In biblical times, we expect that a woman’s place is to wait and serve others. Jesus challenged the norm and calls us to rethink what we deem necessary and how we spend our time.
Sitting at the Lord’s feet
The phrase referencing Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet reflects a deeper meaning than modern-day culture would recognize. The phrasing is the same Greek words used by Paul in Acts 22:3, where he was proving he was a student of the scripture and a disciple of Gamaliel.
“Sitting at the feet” was a phrase that referenced the relationship between a disciple and a Rabbi.
Mary was not just casually hanging out with Jesus and the others. Jesus, the Rabbi, was teaching His students. Jesus saw Mary as one of His students, placing Mary right where she needed to be in a position of “listening to what he said.”
Sitting is a word that seems unproductive, but in God’s kingdom, when we sit at the feet of Jesus, being discipled is considered to be the better choice.
Choosing what is better
What does “choosing what is better” look like?
The story of Mary and Martha perfectly reflects our hectic culture. We are all distracted by something, which tempts us to pull away and not give Jesus the time He deserves and the time we need to be with Him.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus can look different for each of us. To make the better choice, we must determine what “sitting” looks like for us. Do we need to join a Bible study? Spend more time in His Word?
As we look to the new year, will it be a year of distractions, or will we choose what is better?
I pray as you move through this new year, you will attune yourself to the Spirit’s leading. That you will stop when you need to stop, and sit at the feet of Jesus. Each time you sit at His feet, may you grow in your knowledge of Him, be empowered to do what He is leading you to do, and be flooded with His peace that passes all understanding.
Meditate: Jesus, You are the better choice.
Reflect: What are your distractions? How can you know when you are to sit at Jesus’ feet over doing other things that need to be done? What does sitting at His feet look like for you? What is one thing you can do this year that will help you spend more time at the feet of Jesus?
Deeper: (As you read through these additional verses, ask the Spirit to give you wisdom, and teach you more about how to sit at the feet of Jesus.) Luke 10: 38-42; Psalm 23; Psalm 1; Colossians 3:10
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(Bible References: NIV – New International Version)
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