The Value Of Being Worried

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.”

Luke 10:40 

 

Martha was irritated because her sister, Mary, was not helping her with the preparations for the big dinner.  They had guests in their house and a big dinner was expected, yet Mary was lost in thought, listening to one of the guests talking.  Martha had a list upon list upon list of things that needed to be done, and the more frantically she worked, the more irritated she became.  Until she just couldn't take it anymore!  So she goes to their guest, Jesus, to get Him to tell Mary to get up and help with dinner!  She fully expected Mary to be put in her place by Jesus and shamed into getting to work in the kitchen.  

 

Have you ever felt like you were doing all the work while others just say around doing absolutely nothing?  Have you ever become so frustrated because others seemed to be "wasting time" while you were scrambling trying to do good?  Have you ever gotten burned out trying to DO things at church for others and it's as if no one appreciated your efforts?

 

Martha expected Jesus to step up and put Mary in her place....and Martha was wrong!  Jesus didn't put Mary in her place, instead He gently rebuked Martha.  Look at Jesus' words to Martha in verses 41-42: 

 

 "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.'”

 

You see, being busy is a distraction.  Even if it's busy doing good things.  Jesus told Martha that Mary discovered the one thing worth being concerned about...and being busy wasn't it.