Mary Chose the Good Part

By Ted Mock

May 27, 2026

Luke 10:39-42 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

When Jesus came to visit Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, we find Martha busy preparing and serving her guest, and Mary sitting at the Master’s feet.  I have heard many sermons from this passage and have preached a few myself.  The Lord himself declared that Mary had made a better choice to sit at Jesus’ feet than to stand and serve.

Sometime ago, my wife introduced me to the hymn, “Sitting at The Feet of Jesus” by Joseph L. Hall.  As one of my favorites, it expresses significance of the story better than any sermon I have heard.   

Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place, so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
I would look upon the past
For His love has been so gracious
It has won my heart at last

Sitting at the feet of Jesus
Where can mortals be more bless
There I lay my sins and sorrows
And when weary find sweet rest
Sitting at the feet of Jesus
There I love to weep and pray
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me
As I sit low at Thy feet
Oh, look down in love upon me
Let me see Thy face so sweet

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus
Make me holy as He is
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus
Who is all my righteousness
He is all my righteousness
He is all my righteousness

Reflection—What do you think?