Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from Resting in Jesus: A 30 Day Walk with Mary & Martha Devotional Journal Guide by April Rodgers.
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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.
Reflection Questions
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? Write down anything that is holding you back from opening your heart to Him all the way.
Take a moment right now to welcome God into the deepest crevices of your heart and home. Feel His perfect peace surround you, and write down your response to His presence.
Scripture
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. — Revelation 3:20 NLT
There is no one else who has the power to save us, for there is only one name to whom God has given authority by which we must experience salvation: the name of Jesus. — Acts 4:12 TPT
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places He planned to visit. These were His instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into His fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road. Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.” — Luke 10:1-7 NLT
Prayer
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 when 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.
Excerpted with permission from Resting in Jesus: A 30 Day Walk with Mary & Martha Devotional Journal Guide by April Rodgers, copyright April Rodgers.
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Your Turn
Friends, this is a perfect devotion to pass along to a friend you know and love who you’re praying will welcome Jesus into their heart and home. Jesus is a gentleman; He won’t force the door down, but He is definitely knocking! ~ Devotionals Daily