Jesus’ Praise for Mary

Today’s post is a simple one. We are looking at times where Jesus praises imperfect people. In Luke 10:38-42 you find one of these events. Try to set aside your thoughts about Martha for a moment and just focus on Jesus’ interaction with Mary.

^‘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.”’ Luke 10:38-42

Jesus is simply praising Mary. I love this because, as far as I know, Mary didn’t go on to do radical things for Jesus in terms of bringing the Gospel to other nations, or standing up the Pharisees, or healing the sick, or any number of things. She was just an ordinary woman who responded to Jesus and loved Him back. She is fascinated with Jesus and the words of life He speaks, and Jesus praises her for this!

It should also be noted that Mary is like all of us, she is imperfect. Again and again I need to feed on the fact that Jesus enjoys and praises mere regular people who are responding to him. They might not do great things and they aren’t perfect but He interacts with and enjoys them none the less.  It is similar to the post a couple weeks ago. Jesus praises Nathanael for being a very honest guy! Jesus also praises the widow woman for her seemingly small offering of money that she gave. It was overlooked by everyone, except Jesus! And he greatly praises her.