What a great loss many Christians are suffering by not heeding the important lesson of these two
women recorded in Luke 10:38-42. Martha-like they seem to think that their service is of immense
importance. So engrossed with it are they, so enamored with their doings, that they have no time,
and what is worse, no inclination to listen to the word of God. They remain ignorant therefore of
what every Christian ought to know, and needs to know, to serve the Lord acceptably. Many do
not even enjoy peace with God, being too busy to let their Saviour pour into their souls that sweet
peace which is the beginning of relations with Him, and which are sweeter than all beside. He
delights to communicate to His own the full extent of the grace of God, and thus fill their souls
to overflowing with praise and worship, but they have no time to lend Him their ear. "We have
a great work to do," they say, "and we must be about it." Is it any wonder if they are restless and
full of disquietude? It is living intercourse with Christ which satisfies the heart and sets it aglow
for praise, worship, and service. A satisfied heart is not restless, whatever its circumstances may
be.

As to Mary, the Lord’s words leave no doubt as to His mind about the object of her attitude and
heart. He characterizes it as "that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Why then
will any of God’s beloved ones rob themselves of that good part which abides forever! Martha was
as truly a child of God as Mary, and as truly loved of Christ as Mary, yet she was missing what
the Lord most approved and loved. Would you, dear reader, do like her?

In the twelfth chapter of John we see blessed fruits of the Lord’s ministry in the same household.
"Martha served" _her valued ministry has no more the impatient, fretful spirit manifested in Luke
10. The Holy Spirit therefore records the service as most acceptable. Lazarus_not heard of in
Luke 10_is here, as a fruit of resurrection, at the table with the Lord. And crowning the precious
scene, Mary pours out upon the Lord the costly perfume expressing the value in which He was
held in her heart.

(From Help and Food, Vol. 32.)