“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42 KJV).
In a reassuring manner, like a devoted Father would - as He is, the Lord Jesus responds to Martha’s complaints about her sister Mary with emphasis and endearment, saying “Martha, Martha”. This statement reflects the mechanics of closeness that the Lord Jesus enjoys with this family. He is visiting them to teach in their home about the Kingdom of God. His gentle yet emphatic rebuke of Martha highlights that while serving Him is good, it becomes toxic when it is done in self effort. She was distracted by her desire to serve the Lord materially and failed to realize her need to be nourished by Him spiritually, which is the good part.
These passages remind us to make it our foremost priority to rest in intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ —sitting at His feet to receive grace, as Mary demonstrated by her example. We are to recognize the “One thing needful” and choose spending time in the Lord’s presence, beholding His glory, and listening to His Word, rather than being "cumbered about with many things.”
Like Mary, let’s choose to be a receiver. She allowed the Lord Jesus to serve her with His word, which is the penultimate, unchanging, and essential part in our life of faith in Him. This is not a rebuke against good deeds that manifest as fruit of the Spirit through grace by faith. It reminds us who are redeemed by grace, not to strive in works of self effort. Rather, we are to live resting in the "unforced rhythm of His grace" and respond in faith as our Lord Jesus invites: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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