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Luke 10:41-42 - Make Time for What Matters at Christmas.

Luke 10:41-42 (NIV) "Martha, Martha," the 
Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about 
many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. 
Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not 
be taken away from her." 

Luke 10:41-42 (NLT) But the Lord said to 
her, My dear Martha, you are worried and upset 
over all these details! 42 There is only one 
thing worth being concerned about. Mary has 
discovered it, and it will not be taken away from 
her. 

INTRODUCTION

Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. On this 
occasion they were both serving him. But Martha 
thought Mary's style of serving was inferior to 
hers. She didn't realize that in her desire to 
serve, she was actually neglecting her guest. Are 
you so busy doing things 'for' Jesus that you're 
not spending any time 'with' him? [Life 
Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   This Christmas, consider doing less, not 
more. By simplifying your life, youll have more 
enjoyment, more fulfillment, and less stress. 
   At one of the busiest times of the year, 
we need to make sure were filling our 
calendars, our minds, and our hearts with whats 
important"not trivial things that wont even matter in 
five years, much less for eternity. 
   The trivial things Im talking about 
are not evil things. You can fill your life with 
good things that keep you from spending time with 
God. You can be involved in ministry all the time 
and be so busy working for God that you dont 
leave God any time to work in you. 
   An example of this can be seen in Mary 
and Martha, who were sisters and also friends of 
Jesus. One day they invited him to their home for a 
meal. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to 
his teaching. Martha was busy worrying about the 
food and making sure everything was in place. 
   Doesnt that sound like Christmas? You 
spend months buying and wrapping gifts, decorating 
the house, putting up the lights, fixing the 
tree, sending out cards, preparing meals, and 
planning parties. Then, when Christmas arrives, you 
realize you were so busy with the preparation that 
you didnt make any time for Jesus. 
   "Martha was distracted by all the 
preparations that had to be made. She came to him and 
asked, Lord, dont you care that my sister has 
left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to 
help me! Martha, Martha, the Lord 
answered, you are worried and upset about many 
things, but few things are needed"or indeed only 
one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will 
not be taken away from her (Luke 10:40-42 
NIV). 
   Mary knew there was one thing worth her 
time: getting to know the Son of God. 
   Nothing else will matter in eternity. God 
didnt put you on earth just to work and then 
retire. He wants you to get to know him. 
   My wish for you this Christmas is that 
you would stop, take a breath, and shift your 
focus to the one thing that matters most in this 
life: Jesus. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: 
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] 

COMMENTARY

   Mary was storing her mind with the 
precious words falling from the Saviour's lips, words 
that were more precious to her than earth's most 
costly jewels.  
   The "one thing" that Martha needed was a 
calm, devotional spirit, a deeper anxiety for 
knowledge concerning the future, immortal life, and 
the graces necessary for spiritual advancement. 
She needed less anxiety for the things which 
pass away, and more for those things which endure 
forever. Jesus would teach His children to seize 
every opportunity of gaining that knowledge which 
will make them wise unto salvation. The cause of 
Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a 
wide field for the Marthas, with their zeal in 
active religious work. But let them first sit with 
Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence, 
promptness, and energy be sanctified by the grace of 
Christ; then the life will be an unconquerable power 
for good.  DA525-6   

We need more study, more earnest meditation 
and communion with Christ. We need to listen for 
the still small voice, and to rest by faith in 
the love of Christ. We should have a much more 
healthful experience, and become much more vigorous 
Christians. TM345-6 

Those who are ready to do service are those 
who feed most on Christ. Read and study His 
word, drink in the inspiration of His Spirit, and 
receive of His grace, not to hoard, but to give to 
others. TM345-6 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Luke 10:41-42 - One Thing is Needed.

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230530-1039.html 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221028-0852.html 

https://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160514-2135.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/