You’ll stay, won’t you?
As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. — Luke 10:38, NLT
We’ve all heard this invitation. “You’ll stay, won’t you?”
Sometimes we have other plans and the invitation catches us. Most of the time, however, we do stay. We have no power over the will of the one inviting us because the question, “You’ll stay, won’t you?” actually isn’t a question. Instead, it’s something between a statement and a heartfelt demand.
“Yes,” Jesus says to Martha. “We’ll stay.”
Paradoxically, Jesus is the one who indirectly invites Martha to stay with him and Mary, Martha’s sister. Jesus’ invitation to Martha happens after Martha approaches Jesus. The host asks her Lord to send Mary to her so that meal prep can go more smoothly. Jesus’ response likely catches Martha and can (and should) catch us, too. Jesus plainly says that Mary has it right. Mary isn’t flittering about. Instead, she intently and attentively sits by Jesus’ side.
A soft reminder reaches us all. We invite Jesus into our homes (and hearts). Let’s also hear Jesus when he invites us to sit with him and hear what is in his heart.
PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank you for accepting our invitation to sit with us. Help us hear—and respond—to your invitation to us: “You’ll stay, won’t you?”
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