DECEMBER 4

THE BETTER DISH

LUKE 10:42


“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42)

Jesus made this statement to Martha, Mary’s sister. The Greek word for good part means “the better dish.” This must have been hard statement for Martha to accept.

Martha had been working all day to prepare the meal for Jesus and His disciples. The opening of this story tells us that she was “cumbered” or weighed down, by the preparation of the food, the drinks, and table settings. She must have wanted each table setting to be perfect, to each disciple to have enough of her prize-winning dishes, and each drinking glass to stay filled.

Martha was also angry at her sister. Instead of helping serve food, Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to His every word. Finally, Martha shouted at the Lord, “Don’t you care that Mary has left me all alone to serve? Tell her to help me.” Jesus didn’t tell Martha that laboring and serving were wrong, but she’d become too worried and overtaken by her work. Mary had chosen the better dish – sitting and learning at Jesus’ feet.

We often get caught up serving the Lord and working in the church. If we’re not careful, we can forget about the greatest dish of all – learning God’s Word. It’s through the Word that Jesus fellowships with us. True power for service comes through God’s promises and fellowship with Him. This is where our hearts become truly committed to the Lord. We should serve Him out of a committed heart of love.

This is what Martha was missing. She thought by working, she would find favor with the Lord. She worked hard to impress Him and His disciples. Mary found the true way to His heart. She put communion with the Lord first in her life. Her works would then count for the Lord. We are saved “unto good works,” but we don’t work to be saved! (BY)