Jesus Over Everything: Good Things
Overview
In Luke 10:38-42, we see a meaningful encounter between Jesus and two sisters, Mary and Martha, that illustrates an important truth about our priorities. Martha’s intentions were good—she wanted to serve Jesus by preparing her home and providing hospitality. But in her busyness, she became frustrated with her sister Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening intently to His teaching. Martha’s frustration led her to ask Jesus to correct Mary, but Jesus gently corrected Martha instead, reminding her that only “one thing is needed.” Mary chose what was better by prioritizing time with Jesus over her duties, setting an example of devotion above distraction.
This story challenges us to think about how we prioritize our lives. Often, we get caught up in responsibilities, work, or even ministry—things that are good in themselves but can subtly become barriers between us and Jesus if they consume our focus. Jesus reminds us that while good things are valuable, they should not overshadow the best thing—our relationship with Him. In our culture, which often praises productivity and hustle, this passage calls us to regularly pause, recalibrate, and ensure that Jesus remains the central focus of our lives. By prioritizing Jesus over good things, we can find true peace and purpose.
Read
Luke 10:38-42 NIV
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t 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.”
Discuss
How do you define the difference between “good things” and the “best thing” in your life?
Why do you think Martha felt it was so important to focus on serving when Jesus visited?
What do you think Mary understood that Martha may have missed?
Are there areas in your life where good things sometimes distract you from spending time with Jesus?
How can we discern when a good activity is starting to take priority over our relationship with Jesus?
What are some practical ways to incorporate more time with Jesus into a busy schedule?
How do you think Jesus would want you to prioritize different areas of your life today?
In what ways can this story of Mary and Martha challenge our modern view of productivity and success?
Call to Action
Evaluate Your Priorities: This week, list your daily or weekly activities and reflect on which ones might be distracting you from Jesus.
Create Intentional Time with Jesus: Carve out specific, undisturbed moments each day to sit quietly with Jesus, pray, or read the Bible—placing your relationship with Him above any task or responsibility.
Ask for Guidance: Pray and ask God to help you recognize when good things in your life start to overshadow your time with Him and to give you wisdom in prioritizing Him first.
