One On One: 100 Days With Jesus--Ministry YearsSample

Priorities: The One who wants your love   

It would surprise you what impresses God. We think it would be sacrifice. Hard work. Service. Results. 

Yet those things don’t impress Him at all. 

It took Martha off guard, too. When she welcomed Jesus into her home in Bethany for a visit and a meal, He likely had His 12 with Him, plus a few other disciples. Maybe the 72 disciples He had recently sent out on itinerant ministry tours showed up, too. 

So, let’s give Martha a break. It’s hard enough to have the Messiah in your home, much less 25 or even 100 hungry extra mouths to feed. Factor in the Middle Eastern culture’s commitment to generous hospitality, add Martha’s basic, get-it-done   personality, and you’ve got stress in the works.

When she reached her tipping point, Martha scolded Jesus about not appreciating how hard her task was and for not ordering her sister, Mary, to help. Don’t You care? Can’t You see? 

Jesus comes off as rather insensitive, even ungrateful, to what it takes to put a meal together—(could we extend that to what it takes to put together a church service or a small group, too?) Unless of course, He knows something we don’t . . .

And He kindly put His finger right on it. 

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered her, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” 

He saw her hard work but went to her motive instead. Did pride drive her anxiety? 

Do you see me over here, Jesus? Do others see how well I’m serving You with this big, important task? Isn’t it impressive? 

Martha’s cry for help was more like a humble brag. She learned the hard way how easy it is to fail in our strength rather than in our weakness.

“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Jesus wasn’t saying that introverts are better than extroverts. Or that reflective personalities are better than active ones. Instead, He reminded her that we order our lives by what we love. We make time for what we are passionate about and neglect lesser things. Mary was captivated by Jesus and when she sat at His feet, nothing else mattered. 

Yes, working hard for Jesus matters. Bible study matters. Service is so important. But not at the neglect of loving Jesus. Love God more than ministry. Set your priorities, not on serving Him or doing His work, but on loving Him with all your heart, body, soul, and strength. 

Tomorrow: One on one with the One who gives you rest.