MARY'S PRECIOUS GIFT TO JESUS

A beautiful lesson is hidden in the passage of the sisters Mary and Martha during the visit of Jesus to their house:

             "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain
              woman name Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called
              Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted
              with much serving, and she approached Him and said. "Lord, do You not care
              that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And
             Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled
             about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part,
             which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 38-42

While Martha is cleaning, cooking, preparing bedrooms etc. etc. etc... Mary sits at Jesus' feet. From a woman's point of view, especially a hostess's point of view, Martha was acting correctly and Mary was certainly of no assistance at all.

Martha obviously knew Jesus well enough to have the confidence to ask Jesus to address Mary to assist her with the housework. And just as obviouly Jesus knew the sisters well and in answer to Martha's straighforward question Jesus actually tells Martha that everthing she was doing was unnecessary!

             "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is
             needed..." Luke 10:41

Only one thing is needed... intimacy with Jesus.

             "...and Mary has chosen that good part..." Luke 10:42

What was the good part that Mary had chosen! Sitting at Jesus' feet - giving Him her time, her attention, her love. Listening...not necessarily talking; not giving Him anything to eat, or to drink; offering no comfort, not arranging to have His feet washed, or His clothes attended to...

Just giving herself...

and Jesus carries on to say:

                "... which will not be taken away from her." Luk 10:42

"Sorry, Martha, but I will not act on your behalf in this matter. Sorry, Martha, I think Mary's choice is the right one..."

Mary's relationship with and love for Jesus will last through eternity. Time spent with Him is an eternal investment. It can never be taken away from her unless she relinquishes it herself and what is invested by Him into her during this time can also never be taken away from her. Because she was willng to spend time and to build her relationshiop with Him, she was giving Him a precious gift and receiving an eternal gift at the same time.

Oftentimes when we are in God's presence, we talk and talk and talk... or rather... ask, and ask, and ask,  instead of just spending time listening to him; just opening up to the input of the Holy Spirit into our lives. What we often don't understand is that even if we do not 'feel' that we have received or heard something at that precise moment, God is faithful. If we are prepared to open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit, He who knows everything will impart to us that which is required for our daily circumstances: strength for every day, insight into problems; a word of wisdom at the right time, a spirit of understanding, compassion in another's circumstances... the list is endless.

Thank You, Lord, that we may sit quietly at Your feet listening to you. Thank You that we never need to make intelligent conversation with You because You know us so well. Thank You that You do not firstly need our works, but rather our love and time. Thank You that we may just sit quietly in Your presence 'being me', loving You...