Jesus visited the house of Martha and Mary. Martha was distracted with preparations for the grand dinner, while Mary sat at the Lord’s feet to listen to his teachings.

Both were doing something for the Lord, but their priorities were different. Suddenly, Martha burst out: “Master, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister is sitting here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

And the Lord responded: “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is necessary. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha was serving the Lord with excellence. Surely the grand dinner was going to be impressive, and the presentation of the dishes would generate admiration from Jesus. No one could say that Martha did not love the Lord.

However, the Master’s order of priorities had a slight variation. Mary discovered the better part: to be first in the Lord’s presence, to learn his teachings with a hunger and thirst for God, and then to serve him with an unshakable foundation.