Text: Luke 10:38–42 (ESV) 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. 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.” 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.”

Martha was, by all appearances, a good and devoted Christian — or more precisely, a deeply religious person. She was the one who initiated the invitation, welcoming Jesus into her home, demonstrating hospitality and reverence for the Lord. While Jesus, the very Son of God, was physically present under her roof, Martha did what seemed both natural and commendable: she busied herself preparing food and tending to the needs of Jesus and His disciples. Her actions reflected a sincere desire to honor Christ through service. Serving is good; it is a vital expression of love in action. Indeed, the Church today still desperately needs people like Martha — those who are willing to roll up their sleeves, work behind the scenes, and meet practical needs. Without the Marthas of the faith community, much of the visible and invisible work of the ministry would go undone. However, while service is good, it must never eclipse the greater call to presence with Christ.

However, despite her good intentions, Martha made two significant mistakes. First, her busyness in preparing food — though done for Jesus — distracted her from the most important reality: that Jesus Himself was present in the house. She was so focused on the tasks surrounding the visit that she missed the privilege of simply being with the One she was serving. Her activity, though well-meaning, became a distraction from true communion. Second, as Martha grew increasingly burdened by her service, she began to measure others by her own expectations. When she saw Mary sitting quietly at Jesus’ feet instead of helping in the kitchen, Martha became irritated and resentful. Feeling alone and overwhelmed, she judged Mary through the lens of her own busyness, concluding that Mary was being irresponsible or insensitive. This comparison led Martha into frustration and loneliness, culminating in her complaint to Jesus. Instead of finding joy in serving, she allowed her distracted heart to fuel bitterness — a reminder that when we lose focus on Christ, even good works can breed resentment rather than reward.

“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” — Corrie ten Boom

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I. Don’t Get Distracted from the Most Important Thing — Jesus is in the House

Luke 10:40a — “But Martha was distracted with much serving.”

Martha welcomed Jesus but got distracted with much serving. Her attention, though well-meaning, shifted away from Jesus to the tasks around Him. She allowed activity to eclipse adoration.

• We can get busy in life doing many things and miss the important things in life. In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to become so busy doing many things — working, serving, achieving — that we miss the most important things. We can fill our schedules with good activities yet neglect what matters most: nurturing our relationship with God, being present with loved ones, and tending to the condition of our hearts. Busyness can deceive us into feeling productive while quietly pulling us away from the very things that give life meaning and depth. When activity replaces intimacy, and motion replaces meaning, we risk trading what is eternal for what is merely urgent.
• Ministry should never replace intimacy; rather, it should serve as a complement, enhancing personal connections and fostering deeper relationships within the community.
• Being near Jesus is not the same as being focused on Jesus. It is possible to be in the right place — even to be among God’s people, involved in religious activities, or sitting in church every week — and yet completely miss a real connection with Christ. We can be in the house, outwardly identifying as Christians, and still not truly know Jesus, not listen to Him, not love Him. Like Martha, we can get caught up in doing things around Jesus without actually being with Him. Our hearts can grow distracted, cold, or indifferent, even as we remain physically close. Proximity to spiritual things does not automatically produce intimacy with the Savior. It is possible to live a Christian life outwardly while inwardly ignoring His presence and missing the relationship that He longs to have with us. True discipleship is not about being near holy things; it is about being near to Jesus Himself — in heart, in mind, and in devotion.
• We can serve in His name and still miss His presence, engaging in activities and tasks that are meant to honor Him, yet failing to experience the deeply transformative connection that can only come from truly being in His presence rather than just fulfilling obligations.

“The most important daily habit we can possess is to sit before the Lord, listen to Him, and center our hearts on Him.” — Charles Stanley

🔹 Applications:

• Begin every work for God by sitting with God, taking time to reflect and listen to His guidance, ensuring that your actions align with His will, and nurturing a spirit of prayerful contemplation before diving into the tasks ahead.
• Let ministry flow out of devotion, not distraction.
• Never let service for Jesus replace relationship with Jesus.

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II. Don’t Use Your Standard Against Other People — it leads to bitterness and loneliness

Luke 10:40b — “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?”

Martha measured Mary by her own standards and became frustrated. As she hurriedly prepared food for their guests, her mind raced with thoughts of responsibility and duty, contrasting sharply with the image of Mary sitting serenely, absorbed in listening to Jesus. Martha glanced over her shoulder, her irritation growing as she noticed Mary making no effort to assist her. Each chop of the vegetable felt heavier, and the scent of the cooking food was overshadowed by the weight of her annoyance. Her frustration bubbled up as she couldn’t understand why Mary seemed so indifferent to the tasks at hand. Feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of her workload, Martha finally snapped, voicing her grievances loudly. She judged Mary by her own standards of productivity and service, which left her feeling not only frustrated but also increasingly isolated in her efforts, ultimately amplifying her sense of loneliness in the very presence of those she cared for.

• Comparison breeds discontent and conflict.
• When we judge others by our own standards, we stop looking through the lens of grace, which allows us to see their struggles and imperfections through a more compassionate perspective, ultimately fostering understanding and connection instead of division.
• Forcing our standards onto others will lead us to frustration and feelings of loneliness.

“When we lose sight of grace, we become critics instead of worshipers.” — Paul David Tripp

🔹 Applications:

• Focus on your personal walk with Christ, not on comparing yourself to others. Embrace the unique journey that He has set before you, allowing His teachings and love to guide your path, rather than measuring your faith against that of your peers.
• Let grace, not judgment, define your relationships, guiding your interactions and fostering understanding in every encounter you have with others.
• In ministry, we can easily assume that our ministry or department is more important than other ministries or departments, and when people don’t support your ministry as much as you assume they would, you become irritated and judge that they are not as dedicated as you are. This kind of attitude can destroy the unity of the church and lead to divisions that can harm the overall mission we are all working towards. It’s essential to recognize that every ministry has its unique purpose and contributions, and fostering humility and collaboration can help strengthen rather than undermine our collective efforts.
• Serve with joy, regardless of what others are or aren’t doing. Do not let what others do affect our attitude.

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III. Losing Focus Leads to Worry and Criticism

Luke 10:41 — “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.”

Jesus diagnosed Martha’s deeper issue — she lost her focus on the one thing that is most important, which is Jesus himself. In the midst of her busy activities and the demands of hosting, she forgot that Jesus is in the house, right there with her, ready to share in her joys and burdens. When you lose your focus on Jesus and His presence, anxiety and trouble arise, clouding your mind and heart. This often leads to feelings of overwhelm and distraction, pulling you away from the peace that comes from resting in Him. Instead of seeking His guidance and comfort, you become consumed by tasks that, while important, pale in comparison to the divine relationship available to you. It is only by re-centering your heart on Christ that you can find true clarity and serenity amidst life’s chaos.

Many of us carry the weight of unnecessary worry — our minds tangled in anxieties about things that may never happen, about outcomes we can’t control, or about expectations we were never meant to fulfill. These worries often stem from one core issue: we lose focus on Jesus and His presence. When our eyes shift away from Christ, our hearts become vulnerable to fear, comparison, and pressure. We begin to dwell on “what ifs” instead of resting in “God is.” Like Martha, we become anxious and troubled about many things, forgetting that the Prince of Peace is in the room. When Jesus is no longer our center, everything else feels heavier. But when we fix our gaze on Him, we find calm in the chaos, clarity in confusion, and courage in uncertainty — because His presence realigns our hearts and restores our peace.

“When we dwell on the ‘what ifs’ instead of resting in the ‘God is,’ worry finds a home in our hearts.”

• When Jesus is no longer at the center of our lives, our peace disappears, leading us to experience chaos, confusion, and a deep sense of disconnection from our true purpose and joy.
• Serving becomes stressful when it’s disconnected from abiding, leading to feelings of overwhelm and a lack of fulfillment, which can adversely impact both the server and those they serve, creating an environment of tension rather than harmony.
• Worry and criticism tend to grow in the fertile soil of distraction, cultivating an environment where negativity can flourish and thrive.

“Worry doesn’t cause us to lose focus on Jesus; it’s losing focus on Jesus that causes us to worry.” @budihidajat88

🔹 Applications:

• Keep your focus on Jesus to stay peaceful and joyful.
• Guard your heart from stress rooted in self-effort.
• Learn to rest in His presence before working in His name.

“Peace doesn’t come from finding a less busy schedule but from having a more Christ-centered heart.” — John Ortberg

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IV. What Can We Learn from Mary?

Luke 10:42 — “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

What we learn from Mary in Luke 10:42 is both simple and profoundly countercultural: she chose to sit at Jesus’ feet—a bold and humble act that demonstrated her deep hunger for truth, her devotion to the person of Christ, and her willingness to break cultural norms in order to be near Him. At a time when women were expected to stay in the background and serve, Mary positioned herself as a disciple, placing herself in the posture of a learner, a worshiper, and a follower. Her choice wasn’t passive; it was intentional and spiritually discerning. While the world around her valued constant doing, Mary prioritized being—with Jesus. And Jesus affirmed her choice, calling it the “good portion” that would not be taken from her. She reminds us that intimacy with Christ is never wasted time, and that in every season of life, the wisest thing we can do is to choose presence over pressure, relationship over routine, and worship over worry.

Here’s what we can learn from her:

A. Mary Knew When to Get Busy — and When to Stop

“Be still, and know that I am God…” — Psalm 46:10

Mary’s greatness wasn’t found in rejecting work or responsibility, but in her spiritual wisdom to discern the moment. She recognized that there is a time to be active and a time to be still. While there were tasks to complete and preparations to be made, this was not the time for doing — it was a time for dwelling. Jesus, the Messiah, was present in her home, speaking words of eternal life. Mary understood that no responsibility was more urgent than being fully present with Him. She laid aside what could wait in order to receive what could never be replaced.

This wasn’t passivity — it was intentional prioritization. She wasn’t controlled by external expectations or cultural pressures, which would have demanded that she serve and stay in the background. Instead, Mary’s heart recognized the sacredness of the moment, and she responded with humility, hunger, and focus. In contrast to Martha, who was consumed by the demands of the moment, Mary had the wisdom to pause and receive.

“Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to stop everything and listen.” — Ruth Haley Barton

Mary’s example challenges us in every area of life — not just in ministry. Whether it’s our jobs, studies, parenting, relationships, or ambitions, we all need the wisdom to know when to act and when to pause. The call is not to be idle, but to be intentional — knowing when to be productive and when to be still, when to speak and when to listen, when to respond and when to reflect.

A life without rhythm becomes chaotic. A soul without rest becomes weary

🔹 Applications:

• In a world of constant activity, learn to pause, breathe, and be present — with God and with people. Build rhythms of rest into your daily life — moments to stop, pray, reflect, and simply enjoy God’s presence.
• Moments with Jesus are not interruptions to life — they are life.
  Mary didn’t treat Jesus’ presence as an interruption to her schedule — she reoriented everything around Him. She grasped that divine presence doesn’t fit into our calendar; it transforms it.
• Spiritual maturity is measured not only by what we do, but by what we choose not to do.
  Mary teaches us that spiritual wisdom is not just about being productive — it’s about being present. Discernment means recognizing that even good things (like service or responsibility) can become distractions if they displace the best thing — intimacy with Jesus.
• Resist the pressure to prove your worth through busyness.
  Your identity is not in your to-do list or output. Like Mary, root your worth in being with Jesus, not doing for Him. Let your value flow from who you are in Christ, not what you accomplish.
• Practice sacred interruptions.
  If someone needs your time, or if you sense a moment of prayer or reflection, pause. Mary teaches us that the most sacred moments are often unplanned but eternally significant.

Spiritual maturity is measured not only by what we do, but by what we choose not to do.

B. Mary Recognized That Jesus-is-in-the-house Was More Important Than Anything Else

Mary’s decision to sit at Jesus’ feet was more than a moment of stillness — it was a bold declaration of her priorities. She understood that having Jesus physically and personally present in the house was not a common occasion, and it deserved her undivided attention. Instead of being consumed with expectations about what needed to be done — whether from her culture, her sister, or herself — Mary made a conscious decision to reorder her priorities around the presence of Christ. She didn’t allow the pressure to perform or conform to distract her from the greater opportunity: to know Jesus, to hear His words, and to abide with Him.

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” — Charles Buxton

In doing so, Mary quietly broke cultural and religious norms. In her time, it was expected that women serve behind the scenes, not sit among disciples at the feet of a rabbi. But Mary was not deterred by tradition or opinion. She placed her relationship with Jesus above public approval, above domestic duties, and even above her sister’s criticism. Her actions teach us that when Jesus is present — whether in our homes, in our hearts, or in our moments — nothing else is more urgent or valuable than attending to Him.

1. The Presence of Jesus Demands a Reordering of Priorities

When Jesus is truly recognized for who He is — Savior, Lord, Rabbi, and Friend — everything else naturally becomes secondary. Mary’s action reveals that what you truly value is shown by what you are willing to set aside. She teaches us that spiritual discernment often looks like saying “no” to something good in order to say “yes” to Someone greater.

2. Intimacy with Jesus Requires Courage to Go Against Cultural Norms

Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet broke social convention, gender expectations, and even family pressure. Spiritual depth often requires going against the flow, even against what other believers think is appropriate. Mary’s example reminds us that being close to Jesus is often misunderstood by those who are merely busy for Him.

3. True Worship Is Rooted in Right Priorities, Not Public Approval

Mary chose what was better, even though it wasn’t popular. Her worship was not loud or elaborate; it was quiet, still, and focused — and yet it drew the Lord’s highest commendation. This teaches us that real worship is not always visible or praised by others, but God sees and honors it.

4. Divine Moments Must Be Seized, Not Scheduled

Jesus wouldn’t be in the house forever. Mary discerned the urgency of the moment. She dropped everything to sit with Him — a reminder that God’s presence is not always predictable, and we must respond when He draws near. Postponing divine encounters can cost us deeply.

Insightful Applications

1. Learn to say “no” — even to good things — in order to say “yes” to Jesus

Not everything that demands your attention deserves your attention. Like Mary, practice the discipline of refusal — declining tasks, events, or opinions when they threaten to pull you away from your time with God.

Ask yourself daily: “Is this drawing me nearer to Jesus, or just keeping me busy?”

2. Let the presence of Jesus reshape your daily agenda

Begin your day asking, “Jesus, what would You have me focus on today?” Center your schedule around Him — not just your devotions, but your attitude at work, your tone at home, your decisions in stress. Let His presence recalibrate your day.

3. Be willing to disappoint others to obey God

Mary risked Martha’s disapproval to stay with Jesus. Sometimes spiritual growth requires choosing depth over diplomacy. Don’t fear criticism for pursuing God more intentionally — it’s often a sign you’re following closely.

“If you’re always trying to please everyone, you may be missing the One who matters most.” — Anonymous

4. Make space in your life for unhurried moments with Christ

Not every encounter with God fits into a 5-minute devotion. Block out sacred time — moments in your week where you’re not rushing, multitasking, or performing — but simply sitting and listening. Treat His presence not as an interruption, but as the main appointment.

5. Recognize and respond to divine interruptions

God’s presence often arrives in unscheduled moments: a conversation that tugs your heart, a verse that stays with you, a stirring in prayer. Slow down and pay attention. Like Mary, be ready to lay aside your plans to receive something eternal.

“At His feet is the highest place any soul can occupy.” — A.W. Tozer

C. Mary Lived Worry-Free Because Her Focus Was Clear

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3

Mary’s calmness was not the result of a life free from responsibility — it was the fruit of a focused heart. While Martha was described by Jesus as “anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41), Mary sat at His feet with quiet attentiveness. She wasn’t indifferent to the needs of the moment — she simply knew that the source of peace was not in controlling the moment but in focusing on the Master. Her heart wasn’t divided between tasks and presence, between expectations and devotion — it was fully fixed on Jesus. And that clarity of focus produced a soul at rest.

“Peace doesn’t come from getting everything under control. It comes from giving control to the One who already has it.” — Anonymous

Anxiety thrives in the cluttered mind — when we try to carry too much, manage too many outcomes, and juggle too many voices. But Mary blocked out the noise and chose to listen to the only voice that matters. She wasn’t hurried, distracted, or reactive — she was anchored. The presence of Jesus gave her permission to slow down and the power to lay her concerns aside. Unlike Martha, who allowed her surroundings to dictate her spirit, Mary allowed her Savior to define her center.

Deeper Wisdom

1. Peace is not the absence of problems — it’s the presence of Jesus

Mary’s peace did not come because everything around her was quiet or easy. It came because her mind and heart were anchored in one direction: Jesus. This shows us that anxiety is often not about our environment but about our attention. A scattered heart leads to a worried life; a focused heart leads to inner calm.

2. Worry multiplies when priorities are misaligned

Martha was anxious because her service — a good thing — became the main thing. Mary, by contrast, had her priorities straight: Jesus was her first pursuit, not a task on her list. The deeper wisdom here is this: When secondary things become primary, peace is lost. But when the primary thing — Jesus — remains at the center, other concerns find their proper place.

3. Our emotions are often shaped by what we fix our eyes on

Martha’s frustration came not only from what she was doing, but from what she was seeing. She saw Mary resting, saw unmet expectations, and began comparing. Mary, meanwhile, fixed her gaze on Jesus — and her emotions followed her attention. What we behold will shape what we feel.

4. Inner rest is the fruit of spiritual clarity

Mary teaches us that peace isn’t a technique — it’s a byproduct of clarity. When we know who matters most, what deserves our focus, and where our source of strength lies, our soul can exhale. Clarity quiets chaos.

“The only way to be truly at peace is to be preoccupied with one thing.” — Oswald Chambers

Insightful Applications

1. Start each day by fixing your focus on Jesus

Before checking your phone, email, or to-do list, center your mind and spirit with a moment of prayer or Scripture. Even just a few minutes of undistracted focus can shift your mindset from anxiety to alignment.

Try praying: “Jesus, today, be my first thought and my final goal.”

2. Audit your distractions

What consistently steals your attention? Social media? Approval from others? Overcommitment? Identify the things that scatter your focus and begin to set boundaries. Mary’s clarity was possible because she said no to other demands.

3. Practice stillness in your schedule

Even 5–10 minutes of quiet, undistracted time with God in your day can renew your peace. This could be during a lunch break, a walk, or at night before sleep. Stillness isn’t a waste of time — it’s an investment in clarity.

4. Stop multitasking spiritual life

Don’t treat time with God as something to squeeze into the margins. Be like Mary — fully present. Put away distractions. Silence notifications. Treat your moments with Jesus as sacred, not secondary.

5. Let Jesus be your reference point when anxiety rises

When worry creeps in, ask yourself: “Where is my focus right now? Am I looking at the storm or the Savior?” Redirect your attention to His promises, His presence, and His power.

6. Remember: peace is a Person, not a place

Peace is not found when everything is under control — it’s found when we trust the One who is in control. Mary found peace not because her circumstances were easy, but because her heart was near the Prince of Peace.

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Closing Statement

“One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” — Luke 10:42

When Jesus is in the house, not everything needs to get done — but something must be chosen. In a world that rushes, worries, and measures worth by output, Mary reminds us that the presence of Jesus is the priority that reorders everything else.

Martha welcomed Jesus, but Mary worshiped Him. Martha served for Him, but Mary sat with Him. One was distracted by good things; the other was drawn to the one necessary thing.

This story is not a call to abandon our responsibilities — it’s a call to anchor them in the right relationship. Jesus didn’t rebuke Martha’s service but re-centered her focus. He lovingly invited her, and He invites us too, to choose what Mary chose — the better portion. A life of peace, clarity, rest, and worship doesn’t begin when our to-do list is complete; it begins when our hearts are rightly focused.

So the question is not whether Jesus is in your house — the question is: What will you do when He is?
Will you rush past Him… or sit at His feet?

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