A Better Dish

A Better Dish
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Luke 10:42: Mary hath chosen that good part.

When Jesus made this statement to Martha, the sister of Mary, He was actually telling her that Mary had chosen the better dish. This must have been a very hard statement for Martha to accept. After all, she had been working the entire day to prepare an impressive meal for Jesus and His disciples. In fact, at the opening of this story we are told that Martha was “cumbered” or weighed down by the preparation of the food, drinks, and table settings. She must have wanted each table setting to be perfect, each drink glass to stay filled, and enough of her prize-winning dishes for Jesus and every disciple to be fully satisfied.

Not only was Mary weighed down with the preparation of the meal, she was also angry with her sister Mary. Instead of helping serve food, Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His every word. Finally, in total frustration Martha shouted at Jesus, “Don’t you care that Mary has left me alone to serve?Tell her to help me!” Jesus did not respond by telling Martha that her working and serving were wrong, but that she had become too worried and overtaken by her work. Mary had chosen the better dish, sitting and learning at Jesus’ feet.

We often get caught up in serving the Lord and working in the church, forgetting the best dish of all, learning God’s W ord. It is through the Word that Jesus fellowships with us. True power for service comes through God’s promises and fellowship with Jesus. This is where our heart becomes truly committed to the Lord. We should serve the Lord out of a heart of commitment and love for Jesus.

This is what was missing in the heart of Martha. She thought by working she would find favor with the Lord. She worked hard to impress Jesus and the disciples. In contrast, Mary discovered the true way to the heart of God. Communion with Jesus was number one in her life. Paul’s prayer in Philippians 3:10 should be our prayer also, “That I may know Him .”

In His Love,

Bob Yandian

For related information, check out Faith for the Crisis: Mary and Martha at the BYM Store.