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. - Luke 10:38-39
We should all be familiar with the story of the sisters, Martha and Mary. These were Lazarus’s sisters. The same Lazarus who would later die and Jesus would call forth from the tomb. When Jesus arrived at the home of the two sisters, Martha busied herself preparing to serve Him and His disciples, while Mary took a seat at Christ’s feet and lovingly listened to every word He had to say. As might be expected, Martha objected to Jesus about Mary not helping her - “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.’” - Luke 10:40. Jesus, in His manner, basically told Martha not to worry herself over Mary’s seeming lack of propriety - “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 10:41-42.
The scene is played out again in the Gospels when the little children come to see Jesus and the Apostles objected, much as did Mary though for different reasons. “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’” - Matthew 19:13-14.
The very presence of Christ is cause for all of us to come to Him. It should be our natural desire to sit at the feet of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to be near Him, so close we can lean upon Him. But we, like Martha, are often anxious and troubled over many things. Life’s distractions often take our focus off of Christ. The bills need to be paid. The kids need to get off to school. The house needs to be cleaned. It seems we have no shortage of reasons to attend to things other than Christ. And while these things must be done, we must never forget to make time for God in our lives. In this way, we must be more like Mary and the children who wanted to sit with Jesus.
While we must see to our daily responsibilities, we must also seek Jesus with a desire that exceeds anxiety and worry. After all, was it not Jesus Himself who asks us - “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” - Matthew 6:27. And does not Jesus provide an answer to our worries? “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. Surely, we should be lining up behind Mary and the little children just knowing that Christ’s peace awaits us.
Even in the throes of our worst experiences, we have the solid promise of Jesus that He will be with us and never forsake us. His promises are as true today as the day He made them.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” - John 14:27. This is not to suggest that nothing bad will ever happen in our lives. Such a promise is made nowhere! We cannot realistically expect that we will not have tribulation in our lives. That is simply part of our fallen nature. Our faith in God must remain our spiritual strength.
We should all take great assurance in the promises of God. He has guaranteed that He will never leave us or forsake us. Ever! “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9. Wherever we go! Is it any wonder that Mary and the little children yearned to sit at Christ’s feet, to be in His presence; to lean upon Him?
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