Thursday, February 5, 2009

The Right Choice

“…Mary has made the right choice…” (Luke 10:41 CSB)

The village was Bethany, a few miles from Jerusalem. The house belonged to Martha apparently, and her sister, Mary, and her brother, Lazarus, lived with her. Martha invited Jesus to her home. As Jesus and His disciples and others listened to Him teaching, Martha focused on the task of preparing a meal for her honored Guest. Mary, however, did nothing, except sit at the feet of Jesus, listening and learning. Martha went to Jesus and complained that her sister was not helping and asked Him to tell her to come help. Jesus suggested to Martha that something more important was at hand.

While that may have stung, Martha needed to learn something about priorities. Jesus did not denigrate the task, but He did suggest that relationship trumps task.

Relationship is the higher priority. Relationship that intentionally thwarts task cannot be tolerated, particularly when a task involves the matter of carrying out the will of God. Jesus showed us that when the disciples attempted to prevent Him from going to the cross, but in the basic terms of our walk with God and one another, relationship takes priority.

Lord, Help us to always make the right choice. Amen.