T H E O P H I L U S

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

How many times have we been caught up in in the “doing things” for the Lord, rather than being with the Lord? There are so many moments we’ve lived our lives both in the church and outside being busy with things that we deem “necessary”. Although everything that Martha was doing was greatly appreciated by Jesus, there is also a portion of her insistent act of duty that instead brought her away from really encountering the presence of God. But why was she so avoidant of the one she invited in? Jesus immediate points out that she is worried and upset about many things. This is an extremely loaded statement! Martha was so concerned about her first impression, about serving Jesus the “right” drink and the placement of the napkins. She was attempting to prove her worthiness to Jesus in hopes that would be the thing that saves her of her sins.

Jesus comes to us wanting only one thing – that is you. He wants us in our brokenness, in our un-orderly selves, genuine and real in our actual honest hearts. Was Mary worthy to come to the Lord so directly? If we truly know the holiness of God then in every religious sense, absolutely not! But Jesus sits with her, eats with her, converses with her, and spends time with Mary. No matter how perfect Martha’s table setting was for Jesus, there would always be something missing and lacking. But the story here is, that Jesus loves us that way – as we are, in our most vulnerable state.

No matter how messy and broken your life is today, remember that Jesus knows all of that. There is nothing you can do the hide it. But Jesus does not look upon the sins of your past or the future and judge you for them when you come to him with an honest heart. Be real with the Lord in your prayers today. If you let him into your home, your heart, then sit with him and spend time in his presence today and you will be surprised at what compassion he has for all that you go through.