Denver Seminary

Luke 10:38-42

Martha was fuming about dinner; Mary was feasting on every word that came from the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3; Luke 4:4). Martha was troubled by many things; Mary chose the one thing. Martha was distracted; Mary was focused. Martha responded to Jesus in the light of the circumstances; Mary responded to the circumstances in the light of Jesus. Martha told Jesus what to do; Mary listened for what Jesus wanted her to do. Martha left Jesus to go to work; Mary left the work to go to Jesus. Martha initiated for Jesus; Mary responded to Jesus. Martha spoke to Jesus; Mary heard from Jesus. Martha was dutiful; Mary was devoted.

Because Mary chose to sit as a disciple, she received the affirmation. Because she embraced the “one single duty to gaze upon the master one has chosen and to listen,” Jesus proclaimed that Mary had chosen the one thing necessary, the “good portion,” that would not be taken away from her. The Psalmist declared the Lord to be his portion forever (Psalm 73:25-26). “Mary’s good portion” is the Lord himself! That is why it can never be taken away.

Mary, like the old Psalmists, chose to “set the Lord continually before [her]” because her heart knew that “the nearness of God of is my good” (Psalm 16:8; 73:28). She chose the one thing not because it was good for her, though it was, but because it was good. Friendship with Jesus is life, not something added in to make my life better.