Good Vs. Better

This setting is reminiscent of the Jewish saying in m. ‘Abot 1:4: “Let your house be a meeting house for the Sages and sit amidst the dust of their feet and drink in their words with thirst.”

These choices really can be the hardest for us to make, and for many of us there is great anxiety in making these decisions.

Jesus questions her not because of her activity but because of her attitude about it: “You are worried and upset about many things.” By comparing what she is doing to what Mary is doing, she has injected unnecessary anxiety into the visit. “Only one thing is needed.” With this remark Jesus sets priorities. “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus commends the hearing of the word at his feet. To take time out to relate to Jesus is important. The language of the passage recalls

3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

y See

z ; ; ;

a ver 9; See ; ; ; ; ;

b ; ;

c See ; *; *

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011. Print.

In a sense Mary is preparing to partake in the “right meal” ().

The New International Version Chapter 6

These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fearq the LORD your God as long as you liver by keeping all his decrees and commandss that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.t 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obeyu so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatlyv in a land flowing with milk and honey,w just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promisedx you.

4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.a y 5 Lovez the LORD your God with all your hearta and with all your soul and with all your strength.b 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.c 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.d 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.e 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.f

What she has done by sitting at Jesus’ feet will remain with her. This meal will last. Jesus is not so much condemning Martha’s activity as commending Mary’s. He is saying that her priorities are in order. To disciples Jesus says, “Sit at my feet and devour my teaching. There is no more important meal.”

Good v. Better

Good Better

Raising kids Raising disciples

Going to church Being the church

Being Moral Being Christlike

Being good at your Job Bringing Glory to God in your job

Knowing who you are Knowing who you are in Christ

Communion

[2] Bock, Darrell L. Luke. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Print. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series.

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