Choosing the Better Thing: What Mary and Martha Teach Us About Walking With Jesus

There’s a short but powerful story tucked away in Luke 10:38–42—a story many Christians know, but few fully absorb. It’s the moment when Jesus gently corrects a woman who was doing all the right things, yet missing the most important thing. This passage offers a lesson we desperately need in our busy, distracted world.

Jesus enters the village of two sisters: Mary and Martha. Martha—the older sister and likely the “responsible one”—is hustling to prepare the house, the meal, the environment. After all, Jesus is a guest! She’s cooking, cleaning, organizing… making everything perfect.

Meanwhile, her sister Mary is doing something that makes absolutely no sense to Martha:
She’s sitting down. At Jesus’ feet. Listening. Resting. Learning.

After watching her sister relax while she herself carries the burden of all the preparations, Martha finally reaches the breaking point. But she doesn’t confront Mary—she goes straight to Jesus:

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

And then Jesus gives a response that has echoed through generations:

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things.
But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is better,
and it will not be taken from her.”

This is profound.
Not just for Martha… but for you and me.

What Jesus Is Really Pointing To

Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong. Hospitality mattered. Hard work mattered. Preparation mattered. But Jesus makes something crystal clear:

The things that seem urgent aren’t always the things that are truly important.

• The food would eventually get made.
• The house would still get cleaned.
• The tasks would get done.

But the chance to sit at the feet of Jesus?
To slow down long enough to hear His voice?
To let His presence transform you?

That moment can be lost.
And Mary wasn’t about to miss it.

Jesus wasn’t impressed by everything Martha was doing for Him.
He cherished what Mary was doing with Him.

And that is the heart of the message:
God desires your presence more than your performance.

When you spend real, focused, unrushed time with Jesus—
in prayer, in Scripture, in worship, in silence—
your life begins to change from the inside out.

You don’t have to force yourself to “do better.”
You start living differently because His presence reshapes who you are.

Your Invitation: Choose the Better Thing

Maybe you’re like Martha—busy, well-intentioned, doing all you can for God… but running on spiritual fumes.

Hear Jesus whispering your name:
“Only one thing is necessary.”

Make time—intentional time—to sit with Jesus.
Morning. Afternoon. Evening.
Whenever you can be fully present.

Invite the Holy Spirit to fill you.
Let God speak into your life.
Let Him transform you.

This is where real Christian living begins.

Want to Go Deeper? Watch the Full Teaching

If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to watch the full video teaching for yourself. Hearing it straight from the source will bring even more clarity, encouragement, and depth.

👉 Click the link and watch the full teaching https://youtu.be/j-YoBe34nxk
Let God speak to you more deeply through the complete message.

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Thank you for being part of this community.
Take some time today—right now if possible—
to sit at the feet of Jesus and choose the better thing.

God bless you!