Seek First

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV) – [25] “Therefore I tell you, do not WORRY about your life… [33] But SEEK FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) – [38] As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. [39] She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. [40] But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” [41] “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are WORRIED and upset about many things, [42] but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The Cure for Worry

1. Welcome Him in.

“Welcomed” (hupedexato) means kindly received; she received him in a friendly manner, under her roof; and entertained him hospitably.” (Adam Clarke's Commentary)

Luke 19:6 (NIV) – [6] Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.

“Consider Martha’s situation. She received Jesus into her home and then neglected Him as she prepared an elaborate meal that He did not need! Certainly, a meal was in order, but what we do with Christ is far more important than what we do for Christ.” (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

2. Sit at His feet.

“Mary of Bethany is seen three times in the gospel record, and on each occasion, she is in the same place: at the feet of Jesus. She sat at His feet and listened to His Word (Lk 10:39), fell at His feet and shared her woe (Jn 11:32), and came to His feet and poured out her worship (Jn 12:3).” (Wiersbe Bible Commentary)

Psalms 46:10 (NIV) – [10] “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalms 46:10 (NAS) – [10] “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Matthew 6:6 (NJKV) – [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

“It is vitally important that we spend time ‘at the feet of Jesus’ every single day, letting Him share His Word with us. The most important part of the Christian life is the part that only God sees. Unless we meet Christ personally and privately each day, we will soon end up like Martha: busy but not blessed. (Weirsbe Bible Commentary)

3. Listen to His Word.

Isaiah 48:18 (NLT) – [18] Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.

“While the Master does appreciate all that we undertake for Him, He knows that our first need is to sit at His feet and learn His will; then in our tasks we shall be calm and peaceful and kindly, and at last our service may attain the perfectness of that of Mary when in a later scene she poured upon the feet of Jesus the ointment, the perfume of which still fills the world.” (Charles R. Erdman)

4. One thing is needed.

Psalms 27:4 (NIV) – [4] One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

“Jesus was telling Martha that the ‘one thing’ that Mary had ‘chosen’ was more important than the ‘many things’ Martha had chosen to do. The implication was that Martha should listen more and labor less. The ‘good part’ that Mary would not lose, was the blessing that comes to those who pay attention to the teachings of Jesus with an attitude of dependence on Him. (Thomas Constable’s Notes)

5. Choose the better.

“Our Lord prizes our affection above our service. Service may be tainted with pride and self-importance. Occupation with Himself is the one thing needful, that good part which will not be taken away.” (Believer’s Commentary)