Teach Us to Be Like Mary, Jesus

In the age of endless notifications, to-do lists, and busy-ness, it’s very easy to measure our worth by productivity. But nestled in the heart of the Gospel of Luke lies a gentle rebuke and a loving invitation: to slow down, to listen, and to be present at the feet of Jesus.

The Story of Mary and Martha: Setting the Scene

The story begins in Luke 10:38-42, where Jesus enters a village and is welcomed into their home. Like any gracious host, Martha jumps into action. Preparing, serving, and tending to every detail for her honored guest, Jesus. Meanwhile, Mary does something even the modern-day reader finds surprising: she sits at Jesus' feet, quietly listening to His words.

Martha is in the zone (of busy-ness) and gets overwhelmed by all the work she chose to do, to the point of being frustrated by what she perceives as Mary’s indifference and lack of care. And like a good child of God, she asks Jesus to intervene:

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40)

Jesus' response is not what is expected:

“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 10:41-42)

The Call to the Blinking Caution Light

Mary chose presence over productivity. She chose to listen over labor. In a world that rewards multitasking and busy-ness, Jesus commends her. Jesus isn’t impressed with Martha’s green light obsession. Instead, he points to the blinking yellow caution light that Mary may have seen. 

Every follower of Jesus is invited to do these 3 things:

1. Be attentive to Jesus. Mary positioned herself physically and mentally to receive, not perform. She didn’t let expectations distract her from the words of Christ. 

2. Prioritize relationships over tasks. Of course, tasks have a place, but they are not the core of spiritual life. Mary recognized the importance of being with Jesus, not merely doing things for Him. 

3. Embrace the moment. The opportunity to sit at Jesus’ literal feet was fleeting. Mary seized the moment, letting go of lesser urgencies. Our opportunities flee with every passing day.

The life of faith becomes a long list of responsibilities and most of them are good. If they crowd out time for simply being with Jesus, we risk missing the “one thing” that matters most.

Our culture exacerbates this with the idolization of busy-ness. We are conditioned to equate movement with meaning. Rest feels uncomfortable or even guilt-inducing. Yet, Jesus’ words in Luke 10 invite us to a countercultural way—one that prizes communion over commotion. An invitation to discover a new kind of productivity—a fruitfulness that springs from intimacy with Christ rather than restless striving. Jesus affirmed Mary, not only for her courage, but because she had discerned “the better part.” The same invitation extends to us.

In the end, the “one thing needed” is not more to do, but more of Him. Everything else flows from there.