Learning from Jesus – Luke 10:38-42

What would it be like to sit in front of Jesus and be taught by him?  What would you do to be able to experience that?  Can you imagine it?  Imagine what his face looks like, what his words do to your soul, how you don’t get tired listening to him, how everything else around you seems to disappear and you are focused only on him.  Martha had a chance to experience this, and chose something else that seemed more important.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”  (Luke 10:38-42 ESV)

Hospitality in the middle east is a big thing (and it is here too, but not as big as there).  For Martha and her household to fail to show it properly, especially to one so important as Jesus, would be a great humiliation.  Martha is even willing to go to her guest, Jesus, to get his authority over her sister in prompting her to quit sitting and learning and to get up and help.  At least he will know that she is not to blame for failure at putting on a good table.

But Jesus turns the table on her.  As important as hospitality is, it is not as important as learning from Him.  And Jesus isn’t one to believe that women’s place is in the kitchen rather than learning.  “Mary,” he says, “has chosen the good portion.”  We need to see the correct priorities in life in light of the kingdom and its King.  Choosing to learn from Jesus will never be taken away from us.