Today, in the Scripture, we see a tale of two women as they encounter Jesus in the village and in their own home. They invited Jesus to speak into their everyday moments...even when they weren’t pretty! Each day we have a similar choice.

We may see Him in the street and welcome Him into our home. Or we may not “see” Him at all, let alone invite Him in. Perhaps we may not even be looking for Jesus? This then may lead to another whole chain of events. Finally, we could see Him and not welcome Him in outright rejection. Why might we not want Jesus near?

Today, let’s welcome Jesus in with open arms regardless of our mess! May He bring peace to the everyday stuff of life, our hearts, our homes, families, relationships, and work as we choose to sit at His feet.

[Luke 10.38-42]

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ As this passage begins, Jesus is traveling with the disciples. He is doing what He sent the 12 and 72 out to do! In verse 38, who meets Jesus as He enters the village?

+ How does this person greet Jesus?

+ Why is this greeting significant based on how Jesus “trained” the 12 and 72?

+ Imagine what might have happened if this original invitation never was made by Martha. Cross reference John 11.1-44 about her brother, Lazarus!

+ Describe the scene Jesus enters Martha’s home. Who else do we see? What is she doing in verse 39?

+ Verse 40 begins with, “but.” How are the sisters responses to Jesus contrasted?

+ As we welcome others into our homes, what posture do we take to our guests? Do we busy ourselves with serving or do we sit and listen to our guests? How might these actions transfer as we welcome Jesus into our homes and our lives?

+ What does Martha miss as she is “distracted?” What might you and I be missing from our Jesus in the busyness of our day to day lives?

+ When Martha addresses Jesus in verse 40, what does she say? What does she specifically ask for? What do you envision her tone was as she spoke these words and asked this question?

+ What words are emotionally charged in verse 40?

+ Do we ever find ourselves coming to Jesus in this way about our relationship to another?

+ Did Martha get what she wanted from Jesus? How did He respond instead? What do you think was His tone in response?

+ In verses 41 and 42, Jesus interprets what he sees in the house He was welcomed into by another contrast. What does Jesus say?

+ How might our culture receive that there is a “right” choice or a good portion? How about you and I? What is the “good portion?”

+ What is the “one necessary thing” according to Jesus?

+ What would Jesus NOT take away from Mary?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Where have my thoughts or actions shown my distractions or my frustrations with another?

+ What idol is the root of these thoughts or actions?

+ Has Jesus convicted me of this before?

+ Am I consistently choosing the “good portion?” What do I consider the “good portion?”

+ Is there a brother or sister in Christ who can hold me accountable in this area?

+ Is there a Scripture that will remind me of a truth I need to remember?

+ As I repent and believe again, how can I intentionally sit at the feet of Jesus today?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who might I welcome into my home in order to sit and listen to their heart and open up the Scripture to hear Jesus’s heart for them?

+ Who may I have unwittingly led away from Jesus as I model serving before sitting at Jesus’s feet? How can I point them again to the one thing that is necessary? How can I model this in my own life as well?