Luke 10:38 says, “As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him”.
As I began reading this familiar passage of scripture, the account of Jesus visiting Mary and Martha, I was amazed by the words of this verse and had to rest here awhile. What struck me was the phrase “opened her home to Him”. Other translations say “welcomed Him in”. I’ve heard many lessons on Mary sitting and Martha serving, but this day it occurred to me that we can neither sit nor serve until we welcome Jesus in!
Now, for those who have never opened their hearts to Christ, receiving Him as Savior is the first step. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9
I prayed then, what about those of us who have made that decision? What does this mean for me and for all believers? What lesson can we learn from these precious words? The answer didn’t come right away, in fact, most of that day while I went about my work, I prayed. I knew there was an application I did not want to miss.
Later that afternoon I found myself remembering the years I cleaned houses for people. I was kinda laughing to myself how almost every home had what I called a “pretty room”. You know, the room that is almost never used, the fancy living room. Although why it is called a “living” room I’m not sure, because the only time it’s ever used is when a special guest comes by. As these thoughts began to mix with my prayers regarding verse thirty-eight, I got the most incredible picture in my mind! I said, “God, that’s what we do!” Yes, we make that decision to follow Christ, we open our hearts and receive Him as Saviour, we truly welcome Him in, but that’s as far as it goes! He’s like the special guest sitting in the pretty room. We open our door to Jesus, but we never allow Him into the kitchens and family rooms and bedrooms of our lives. We keep Him out of the places where decisions are made, schedules are organized, relationships are built and broken, where real life happens! It’s the difference between Jesus as Savior and Jesus as Lord! He is Lord, and He deserves that rightful place in our lives!
It occurred to me that the time we sit with Jesus and the time spent serving Him will be much more effective the more we welcome Him in. We must open every part of our lives to Him. All the rooms, all the tiny spaces and closets. Oh, we’ve got many excuses why we don’t. I know I do. I know I’m still working on some of them! I used to hope God didn’t open up that one cabinet, the real high one that no one ever uses. “No God, don’t peak in there. You see, there’s sin hiding in there that I’m not ready to acknowledge. Well, I don’t call it sin. You’ll find it wrapped up in a couple of boxes marked ‘Just an old habit’ and ‘Just the way I am’. No, no! Not that closet! There are masks in there that I still want to keep. You’ll find them in a garment bag labeled ‘Hypocrisy’. Please don’t look in there, Jesus!” The truth is, of course, He already knows it’s there. He sees all. He knows all. He is aware of every thought before we think it. He knows our words, our attitudes, our motives. Nothing is hidden from Him.
It seems to me that Martha gets kind of a bad rap. Yes, I realize she had a terrible attitude. Martha was caught up in her work instead of in Who she was working for! She was wading around in self-pity that day with Jesus. However, what I admire about Martha is that she welcomed Jesus in, not only to her home, but yes, even into her bad attitude! She didn’t try to disguise it or lie about it. Only then could she be taught the most valuable lesson. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken from her.” (verse 41) The “only one necessary thing”, the “good part” of our lives is communion with Christ. Pure, sweet fellowship with our Lord and Savior. Even in this lesson can you hear the tenderness and compassion of Jesus? I urge you, precious child of God, to open your door to Him. Welcome Jesus into every nook and cranny. Don’t keep anything closed off and you will enjoy a peace and intimacy with Him like you have never known! Let’s give Christ that rightful position of Lord over our lives. Today will you welcome Him in?
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