While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
Luke 10:38 CSB
Don’t you just love a good dinner party?
After a warm invitation is extended and accepted, it’s time to pick out the menu and straighten up the home — fluff the pillows, sweep the floor, and set the table. Whether the meal is homemade or catered, it doesn’t matter. Because the most important part of the evening is simply when friends gather around the table and allow the conversation and laughter to flow as the night progresses.
Eventually, goodbyes are said at the door with promises to do it again soon. And even though we are left with a kitchen full of dirty dishes, we typically find that after opening our homes to others, our hearts are just as full as our stomachs.
Martha must have felt the same way when the time came for her to bid farewell to her cherished guests. As the head of the house that she shared with Mary and Lazarus, her sister and brother, Martha was certainly known for her hospitality in the village of Bethany. She was very much in charge and was willing to receive guests into her home, even if her guest of honor came traveling with a clan of twelve other men.
The gospel of Luke records that Martha welcomed Jesus into her home. She didn’t begrudgingly open the door for Him and His disciples. No. She wanted His presence to fill her home, and thus she swung wide open the door to host Him. As Jesus placed one holy foot and then another onto her property, did Martha feel the atmosphere shift? Could she feel the peace that only He provides permeate her home? Can you imagine what it must have felt like to welcome the Son of God into your home for a dinner party? I bet she never wanted to say goodbye to this special guest.
Perhaps the first time Martha opened her door to Jesus, she was curious to see if He truly was the Son of God, and perhaps you are wondering the same thing today.
In Revelation 3:20 (NLT), Jesus said, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Jesus gives each one of us the same invitation. He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, but it’s up to us whether or not we open the door and welcome Him into our lives.
He will not force Himself through the door, but oh, how He wants to have dinner with us! He, too, loves a good dinner party and wants to bring His peace and salvation as He comes to reside and rest in our hearts. But the question is, will we let Him in? It’s only when we wholeheartedly welcome Him into our day-to-day routines that we will truly find rest.
Is Jesus knocking at the door of your heart? If you’re honest with yourself, have you let Him all the way in? Even into your messy kitchen? What is holding you back from opening your heart to Him all the way?
Let’s Pray:
Jesus, what a privilege it is to take this walk of faith with You. I ask You to come and meet me as I commit to walk alongside Mary, Martha, and You. Reveal to me things that are keeping me from resting in You, and make known to me anything that is hindering Your peace from resting on me. I give You permission to come into every aspect of my life. I open the door of my heart fully to You — even the messy parts that I would rather remain hidden. Teach me to embrace a lifestyle that is authentic and transparent, knowing that with You I can be the best version of myself if I am willing to let You in. Today I resolve to hold nothing back, knowing that You didn’t hold anything back from me whenever You came to die for my sins. I declare that You are the Son of God, and it is my greatest delight to have You in my heart and home. There is nothing better than having dinner with You as my Savior and Friend. You are so very welcome in this place. Amen.
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Resting in Jesus: A 30-Day Walk with Mary and Martha is a devotional guide by April Rodgers on the art of letting go of daily chaos to find perfect peace in Christ.
When our phones are pinging, children are crying, emails are pouring in, and the refrigerator is empty, finding time to rest in Jesus can seem like a near-impossible task. If we aren’t being productive, we feel like missing out and falling behind. But Christ invites us to sit at His feet, especially during our daily chaos.
The example of Mary and Martha offers us a picture of how God understands not only what we’re going through, but where our priorities really need to be. Resting in Christ is not a luxury, it’s a necessity… and it informs everything else that we do. This devotional will guide readers on the journey to discovering the art of being still before God — and releasing their cares to the One who cares for them.
We know Resting in Jesus will be a blessing in your life, or the life of someone you love.
Order your copy today . . . and leave a comment below for a chance to WIN a copy*!
Then join Becky Keife this weekend on the (in)courage podcast for a conversation with April. Don’t miss it!
Listen to today’s article at the player below or wherever you stream podcasts.
This weary momma could use some rest!
This morning I journaled about rest. Then I read this devotion. Thank you. God does provide rest if we let him in.
Thank you for this opportunity. I am encouraged by the topic and would love to win a copy.
What a beautiful prayer.
I needed to be reminded of this today. Thank you!
Wow! Thank you for the words I needed this morning.
I’d love to win this! Can’t wait to get one and read! Thanks for the opportunity!
What a timely devotion! I would love to win a copy of your book and learn more on how to truly rest in Him.
Loved this, thank you, April for your words of encouragement!
It’s so important to make time and welcome Jesus and others into our homes but so often the busyness of everyday life doesn’t allow for it. I’d love to win a copy of your new book to help me accomplish this goal!
The story of Mary and Martha has been a favorite for years. The Holy Spirit shows me something different each time I read it. In this devotional what stood out was that Jesus came with 12 hungry men. I always knew this but it just hit me that this would be a lot of food to prepare. I don’t imagine Martha skimping on food.
I welcome Jesus into my heart every morning…but I don’t entertain dinner guests often. My hubby just isn’t into it so I have somewhat given up over the years. That said, I do meet girlfriends for lunch out…which is great as there is no stress and no mess.
Thank you April. Sometimes {well maybe most times} I feel like a Martha. I love having people over to help my loneliness. I believe God has given me the gift of hospitality. But I also need His peace and rest within my soul. I just want to fall at His feet and surrender my worries and fears to Him. I am working on this and appreciate your article. God bless you!
This is exactly where I need to be, resting in Jesus.
I’ve often thought Martha gets a bad rap. Yes, she was corrected for our benefit but God himself liked to spend time in her home. She must have had a special gift for hospitality that Jesus at the height of his ministry would find a welcome respite in her homemaking. Just my humble opinion.
I love the story of Martha and Mary in Luke. I’m definitely a Martha who is constantly busy. But I long to learn how to be more like Mary.
What a very good devotion this morning and beautiful prayer!
The timing for this is perfect!
I need to learn to test like Mary. Thank you for this devotion
Thanks for the chance to win
I’m searching for the peace April talks about.
Like many women, I struggle with rest. My body needs to move, my brain jumps from one thing to another. Only Jesus calms my restless soul but I still struggle! I look forward to this devotional.
Sometimes I do need a reminder to rest with Jesus and leave the chaos aside.
I am definitely on a journey with God finding myself in it.
Thank goodness God waits patiently for us to call upon him.
What a wonderful reminder to open our hearts completely to the Lord ❤️
I need this!!!
I would love to “WIN”
Thank you April. I’m smiling. Thinking….”Martha Martha Martha”
We just hosted a dinner in the family home we moved into. An old little house my husband’s grandparents owned. We invited our Pastor and his wife. We are blessed because they are also dear friends. Another beloved couple joined us too. I was sooooo nervous! I was feeling like this little house was not good enough. It’s “too small” and we have to add another table so everyone can sit and eat. We can’t all sit in the living room it’s too small”! On and on I convinced my self this little house wasn’t good enough to share with them. They had visited us at our window filled beach house and our beautiful mountain house. Yet, everyone gathered and ate and laughed and sat squeezed together chatting. It was awesome. This sweet little house just wrapped it’s loving arms around us. It was as if my husband’s grandmother Ruth and Jesus were part of the party!!!!
I’m so grateful for God’s gifts…. and His company \0/
This devotion spoke directly to me! I was just praying the same thing last night, as the prayer above! I would love an opportunity to utilize April’s book to help me be able to rest in God throughout my day!
I’d love to win this study!
This seems like a bible study that will do my soul good. Btwn being a mother of 2 toddlers & nursing supervisor in the middle of a nursing shortage, i often let the busy, chaos of my life & career take the wheel instead of jesus. I need a study that helps me to stop in the midst of the storm & let Jesus rest & work in my heart. Looking forward to this study!!
WIN
I loved this devotional! It was a great reminder to rest in God and invite him into my heart…even the messy parts! Thank you!!
I had lunch yesterday with two sisters that I haven’t seen or spoken to since I was 13. Their father was our pastor. While that may not seem too strange, I am now 78 years old. The bond that had kept us together in spite of time and distance is the love of Christ Jesus. Though our hair is now gray and our eyes are not as good as they once were, the love we share from our Savior and for one another has not changed. Isn’t our God good!!
So my sisters, remember who you belong to, hold your head up high and don’t be afraid. Read the lyrics to “Onward Christian Soldiers” they are as timely today as when they were first written.
Heaven is an eternal dinner party and we are invited.
I’m interested in getting this
This seems like exactly the book I need right now
Thank you for the opportunity and reminder of the importance of rest and welcome
“THANKS” April for your special gift of words, what a meaningful devotion & heartfelt prayer. The story of Mary & Martha has always been one of my favorite lessons that I can relate to and reminds us to take TIME for GOD in our daily lives. When people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13. Time with our heavenly Father is never wasted and thanks for reminding us to REST in him with His Peace!
April,
I have let Jesus fully into my heart & messy life. Each day I listen to Christian music on the drive to & from work. Often times I will pray for friends, family & co-workers. Each weekend (I get 3 days off) I make it a priority to rest & make time for God. Filling up on His promises, Bible reading, etc. It helps me when I head back to work on Monday.
Blessings 🙂
I want to be more hospitable like Martha, and more willing and able to rest in the Lord like Mary. Thank you for a devotional that could help with these. God bless.
(I enjoyed your conversation with Becky)
I’ve really been focusing on getting rest when I can since I moved in October 2022. Saturdays are my day of rest if I do not have other things going on. Now I am also learning what is okay to say no to. That is huge for me. This sounds like such a needed book! Thank you for giving us another opportunity to win.