One day as Jesus was passing through a certain village a friend, Martha, invited Him and His disciples into her home. Martha had a sister Mary and a brother Lazarus. They were good followers of the "Good News."

On this particular visit as soon as Jesus entered, Martha found Him a comfortable spot to rest. She then took off to the kitchen to prepare some refreshments. As she entered the kitchen her sister Mary made her way to the feet of Jesus. She sat and listened very intently to every work that Jesus said.

Jesus was thankful for people who would welcome Him into their home. They always had a place to stay and food to eat. The Father had always led them to the right village at the right time. But even more wonderful than this was to see people who would sit and listen and receive the words of life that He spoke. He knew He only had so much time on this earth, only so long to preach this wonderful message, to tell them of the love of the Father. It was refreshing.

While Jesus was teaching, it seemed that there was some distractions coming from the kitchen. These loud banging and clanging noises didn’t bother Jesus. He had people who were so hungry to hear His teaching; in fact He hardly heard them.

He had been there for some time and Martha reappeared. When Jesus looked at her she looked sort of frazzled and shook up. She headed right for Jesus and asked to talk to Him. He thought that something must be wrong for Martha to interrupt Him in such a matter and she did look distressed.

When Martha and Jesus met, Martha began to slowly but loudly complain to Jesus about how much she had to do and that Mary wasn’t helping her. She wanted Jesus to tell her sister Mary to help her. It wasn’t fair that she was left to do all the work by herself! Mary should be doing her share of work, too. She went on and on.

Finally Jesus put his hands on her shoulders and looked right into her eyes and said, "Martha, Martha. You are upset and troubled by a lot of things. But there is only one thing you need."

Martha began to think about what Jesus said and she knew any minute He would call Mary in to help her. But what Jesus really did say surprised her.

“Martha, Mary has chosen the right thing to do. The most important thing to do right now. This will never be taken from her.

Jesus then went back to finish His teaching. Martha was confused. It was more important to listen to the words of Jesus than it was to prepare a meal for Him? Mary had chosen the right thing that would never be taken from her? That all the WORK that she was doing and thought was so important really wasn’t? She really had to think about this. Maybe Jesus was right.

Source: Adapted from Super Church Curriculum Worship
by Mark Harper
Excerpt permission granted by Mark Harper Ministries