Chasing PerfectSample

As we identify where Martha’s heart should have been, we can look to Mary as an example. While her sister was running around trying to take care of guests, Mary just sat and listened to Jesus. Not only was she commended for it, but Jesus was so bold as to tell Martha, “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” 

While it doesn’t seem like a big deal today that Mary was at the feet of Jesus, it was a courageous move. To sit at the feet of a rabbi and listen to his teaching was an indication of the desire to become a rabbi. Only men were afforded this privilege, but Mary didn’t hesitate to break this cultural norm. 

Mary always did things a little unconventionally—sitting at the feet of the Rabbi, anointing His feet with expensive perfume and wiping it off with her hair (John 12:1-3), and moving Jesus to tears when her brother, Lazarus, had died (John 11:32-33). Mary didn’t let social norms dictate her actions. She knew her worth resided in Jesus.

But was her heart completely pure in all of this? How could she not have noticed her sister’s panic and stress? Shouldn’t Mary have at least offered to help Martha?

At first blush, it appears Mary took the easy way out. Yet Jesus said she had chosen the better portion. Sometimes we must choose between good and evil, but more often we must choose between good, better, and best. I think Jesus was referring to the latter in this conversation with Martha and Mary. He wasn’t suggesting Martha’s service to others was bad. He was just reminding them that Mary’s decision to sit with Jesus was better. 

Resting in a hammock isn’t more spiritual or holy than hard work and service, but that’s not the point of this story. Jesus wasn’t concerned with Martha’s activity level; He was concerned with her anxiety level. Martha could have chosen the better portion while she was still serving. 

In contrast to her sister’s busyness, Mary laid everything down in pursuit of Christ: 

Her pride—she was sitting at Jesus’ feet.

The approval of others—she didn’t care what others thought of her actions.

Her efforts to perform—she didn’t need applause or accolades for a well-cooked meal.

Her need to provide—she realized Jesus was the great Sustainer and Provider. 

Mary realized Jesus was the ultimate Source of everything her heart desired and needed. She sensed it. She felt it. She believed it. Purpose was found in Him—not in her service, not in the approval of man, not in appearances, not in physical sustenance or a put-together home. In Him alone. 

This story is a near perfect representation of our daily lives. The unexpected happens, our normal routine is thrown off, rowdy and unpredictable people invade our lives, multiple activities beg for our attention, and yet those who are walking in faith still settle at the feet of Jesus. I long to be one of those faithful few.

No matter where you are and what you’re going through, be like Mary—focused on nothing but God. In the storm of life, she sat and worshipped the Creator, not the created things. She wasn’t fixated on herself, her home, or her visitors. She focused on only one thing: Jesus.