“But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 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 10:40-42
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus were some of Jesus’ closest friends. He knew them well and they knew him.
They were comfortable in his presence. He was like family!
So much so that Mary didn't put on appearances and was content to sit at His feet and listen to Him. So comfortable that Martha complained to Him and even engaged His help to get Mary to assist her in the meal and service!
Let's be careful not to judge Martha too harshly!
We all tend to be more like Martha than Mary.
Martha was burdened with many things. She has many irons in the fire, as the saying goes and for her this was probably quite literal!
She was careful or full of care and troubled about many things.
She wasn't just dealing with her hospitality responsibilities.
They are what she felt she could control so she was pouring all her energy into them.
She has a lot on her heart and mind.
She had a noisy soul.
Maybe Lazarus was already sick.
The Bible doesn't elaborate. We don't really know all that was troubling her. But we do know that something or things weighed heavy on her heart and Jesus gently let her know that He can see her troubled heart.
He wanted her to know that what she needed was to come sit with him. Instead of ministering in her feeble strength, He was beckoning her to come and let Him, minister, to her! Jesus loved Martha and didn't want her to miss out on what real service was.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29
So often we are distracted by the outward appearance of everything looking just right, sounding just right, and going off without a glitch...the goldilocks version of life. It is juuuuust right!
It's perfectionism!
Pride all wrapped up in a fancy word with a pretty bow!
Some label perfectionism as OCD and truly it can lead to that disorder.
We come to feel so out of control in our lives that we find that one place or thing we can control and fixate on it!
Yes, of course outward appearance has a place! If it didn't, we wouldn't shower, put on clean clothes, or take care of our beings. God never condemns such actions. God didn't condemn Martha’s service!
How do I know outward appearance have a place?
In Genenis God clothed Adam and Eve with better garments than fig leaves. Adam and Eve sinned and saw their nakedness. They sewed fig leaves aprons then hid in the trees to try to camouflage themselves from God. Sin makes us so foolish! We think we can camouflage ourselves with our “good appearances” but God can see all the hidden parts. He can see our pride.
He tells us “Let all things be done decently and in order.”
1 Corinthians 14:40
He tells us, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22
He tells us to adorn ourselves in modest apparel in 1 Timothy 2:9. Modest means to have moderation, a sense of propriety, not loose or lewd, not excessive or extreme.
So, yes, Appearances do matter and do have a place. But, they aren't the “needful thing”.
The needful thing is our daily walk with Christ.
The moment by moment looking unto Jesus.
The filling of the Holy Spirit everyday!
Does your cup run over or is it almost empty?
Jesus sees our troubled hearts and souls.
He is compelling us to come do the needful thing.
Come sit at His feet.
Come tell it to Jesus!
It is a gift that will not be taken from you.
Choose the good part today.
Go, get rest for your soul so you can rise and do the work God has called you to do!
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