Listen to Devotion

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better.”

One thing that might happen when we read this account of Mary and Martha is to make it into a lesson that says, “Be less like Martha. Be more like Mary. Stop being so busy and start reading your Bible more.” This account could very easily turn into just another law to fulfill if we’re not careful.

However, Jesus isn’t aiming to replace one to-do list with another. He’s giving an invitation more than he’s giving a command. He’s inviting us to let him serve us. That is the better thing. Or, as some translations say, that is the “better portion.” It’s almost like Jesus is talking about a meal. There were two meals being served that day. The necessary one was not the meal Martha served Jesus, but the one Jesus served them. As a result, the portion of that spiritual meal Mary chose for herself was better. If you must make a choice of feeding Jesus or being fed by Jesus, choose the latter because that’s what Jesus wants for you more than anything else.

It’s like Jesus says to you, “Please just sit down here with me.” And what is it that he wants to tell you? “I’m with you always to the very end of the age.” “I’m the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” “I am going to prepare a place for you, and will take you to be with me where I am.”

Jesus said there are few things that we need. Indeed, there is only one thing we truly need: the Word and promises of our God. If everything else in our life was taken away, we’d still have all that we need: the love of Jesus, our Savior.

Dear Jesus, thank you for providing for my deepest spiritual needs. By your Spirit, help me to always choose the better portion of listening to your voice. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.