What’s Important

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.”
Luke 10:38–42
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What’s Important
We are all busy. There are a million different things that vie for our attention. And too often, the thing we need the most, more than anything else, God’s Word and His forgiveness, get put on the back burner for seemingly more important tasks. The care and worries of the world creep in and attempt to choke out our faith. In contrast with Jesus’ demand for great works in the parable of the Good Samaritan, we see here in the story of Mary and Martha the importance of faith and rest in Jesus and His Word. Today, we are often so distracted that we neglect what matters most: God’s Word and Sacraments. What we can never earn for ourselves, no matter how much we scramble, God freely provides through faith in Jesus Christ. May we learn to trust in our Savior that He bears our anxieties and will remove our distractions, so that we may receive His good and gracious gifts.