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The Better Part, October 2
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art
careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful:
and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken
away from her.
Luke 10:41, 42
.
This reproof of Christ comes to many Marthas in our time. They
lose much spiritual and divine knowledge that would make them wise
unto salvation, through their bustling activity to do so much in temporal
things, to shower favors upon those whom they love. If they would
preserve simplicity in all their preparations, and improve their precious
opportunities to obtain a better knowledge of God’s will and be doers
of His words, they would save much irritability and would drink of the
perpetual Fountain of life....
Martha ... was so anxious for all due honor to be given to Christ that
in her active preparations in provision of food, she lost the most precious,
golden moments of listening to instruction from His divine lips. Mary sat
at His feet to catch every word. She regarded this of highest importance.
This offended Martha, and she asked the Lord Jesus if He did not care that
she served alone, while Mary shunned these responsibilities. Said Jesus,
Martha, Mary hath chosen the better part, which shall never be taken from
her. What was that better part? To learn of Jesus, to appreciate His words.
In giving attention to the words which fell from His lips, she was showing
her love for her Saviour....
Every word from the lips of Jesus was precious. It was joy to Him to
see Mary appreciate His instruction. The more frequently the words of
Christ are heard the more deeply do they influence the mind, the better
they are understood, and the more easily and perfectly are they obeyed.
This spirit that is ever ready to make great outward display for our
friends is a device of the enemy....
He [Christ] requires His followers—the purchase of His blood—to
leave all the follies and vanities and tainting corruptions of the world out
of their lives.... Let the impression, “Lo, God is here,” solemnize every
mind and make glad every soul.
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