Reading in Luke chapter 10 I was reminded of the joy and refreshing that comes by simply being with Jesus. Verses 38-42 have to do with His dear friends Mary and Martha:
“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.’
“But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
John 11 reveals Jesus loved both Martha and Mary (v.5), but that Mary had a special place in Christ’s heart and was able to minister to her deepest needs because of what Luke shows us: she was an undistracted worshiper.
Notice that Martha got a great theological response from Jesus (see verses 25-26) whereas Mary broke His heart and moved Him to tears (vv. 32-35). Then He proceeded to the tomb and raised her brother from the dead (vv. 38-44). Mary’s passion for Jesus gave her access to His power.
Sometimes we’re like Martha: We are so uptight and distracted by all the cares in our life we are not able to really be with Jesus; we’re there in body but not in spirit. When that’s the case we can’t receive from the Lord because we’re not in a place to receive from Him. Mary knew her real need was God. Everything else took a back seat.