Scripture: Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ESV
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Observation: Recapping Friday’s Daily Focus, Luke chronicles Jesus’ response to a lawyer’s disingenuous question about the Law regarding eternal life. Wisely, Jesus redirects the question to the lawyer, who rightly recites the Great Commandment. Jesus affirms his response, but the lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asks Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (v.19). So Jesus tells The Parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate that anyone who comes across our purview, even those we despise, is our neighbor, and, thus, we must expend our time and resources to care for them as good neighbors.
Immediately following this neighborly-love lesson, Luke tells us Jesus and his disciples move on to a village (Bethany) and visit the home of Martha and Mary. Martha busies herself with showing hospitality while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and absorbs his teachings like a sponge. Meanwhile, Martha internalizes resentment toward Mary for not lending a hand and complains to Jesus, beckoning him to direct Mary to help her. But Jesus refuses Martha’s request and instead speaks to her heart, compassionately exposing her ongoing worry and anxiety while extending hope that she can find rest for her distressed soul with “one thing,” that is the “good portion.”
Takeaway: The Greek text as Luke chronicles this story leaves ambiguity regarding the “one thing” and “good portion.” Theologians speculate various ideas from the contemplative life to worship over service. But given the preceding parable of the Samaritan, it’s safe to assume that Jesus is not placing anything over service here. Instead, he is prioritizing the word of the Lord as a means of discerning how best to seek his kingdom. Indeed, the “one thing” that matters above all else is eternal fellowship with him under his gracious reign. Thus, the “good portion” is all God’s good gifts that bring us peace over anxiety as we learn to live in his kingdom. Jesus elaborates on this in his Sermon on the Mount when he addresses anxiety (Matthew 6:25-34).
So while service is essential to growing God’s kingdom, it follows the “one thing” (entry by faith) and is fueled by the “good portion” (trust in his provision and care). And any time we reverse the order, we will eventually become distressed and embittered. But when we surrender control and open our tight-fisted hands to receive our Father’s good gifts, we find rest for our weary souls and the strength and joy to grow his and his Son’s kingdom and glorify their name. That’s the one thing we all need.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who, by his life, death, and resurrection, has assured us the “one thing” we all need: entry into your eternal kingdom. And we thank you for providing us our “good portion” in Christ that overcomes our fears and anxieties and restores our hope. Still, we struggle to rest in him, to sit at his feet and learn how to trust and obey him and receive his loving care and guidance. So would you please help us follow your Holy Spirit’s lead and seek first your kingdom over ourselves and the world? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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