When Jesus walked this earth he had three close friends, a brother and his two sisters. Martha was "the hostess with the mostest." She probably had a reputation of being a good hostess, always having her house nicely decorated when company was coming. People probably enjoyed dinner parties at her house. She took a lot of pride in providing a good meal, having things neat and orderly, and the meal always served on time. It seems she also prided herself on always being prepared for unexpected guests.
Mary, on the other hand, was the social butterfly. She enjoyed people: getting to know them, listen to the conversation, avidly contributing when appropriate. She was probably known as a good listener.
One day Jesus popped in and Martha hurriedly went to the kitchen to prepare a meal for their favorite guest. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened raptly to everything he had to say.
Martha was upset that her sister was sitting around, doing nothing, while she did all the work. She complained to Jesus, "Don't you care that I am in this kitchen, slaving away, while my sister just sits there?"
Jesus replied, "You are trying too hard. You worry too much about everything being just right. Mary has chosen that good thing: she has chosen to listen to me."
Jesus wasn't saying that the meal wasn't important, or that Martha shouldn't bother with the meal. What he was saying was that she was more concerned with being the proper hostess than with learning from him. Jesus wants us to keep our minds stayed on him. Isaiah 40:31 says, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Another verse from Isaiah, 26:3 says, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Peace, perfect peace, comes from keeping our minds, our focus, on the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit.
Have a peace-filled day. When you are at peace, your relationships will be peaceful.
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