Multiple Choice Questions

The decisions we are faced with in life are often like multiple choice questions. Out of a series of choices, we are often able to weed out the blatantly incorrect choices...but then we are always left with two that just seem to be right...both could pass as 'the correct' response.

The average person often fails because there is always that one response that, at face-value, appears to be a good answer (Proverbs 14:12). However, the learned know that the correct answer often only comes after a process of evaluation/discernment where both choices are compared. This comparison will reveal that the mere presence of the better answer makes the 'good answer' incorrect!

A case in point is the story of Mary and Martha,recorded in Luke, where Jesus came to pay them a visit:

"v38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
v39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.
v40But 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!'
v41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things,
v42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.' "
(Luke 10:38-42)

The reactions of these ladies to Jesus is a perfect scenario of 'two responses that, at face-value, could pass'. Martha was certainly doing what was expected of a hostess, by making the necessary preparations for her guest. I cannot imagine a lady of that time being highly esteemed if she were ill-prepared for her guest. However, Jesus' reply to Martha's complaint, highlights the importance of assessing the choices at hand. Let's say that some choices available to the ladies could have been:

A. Tell Jesus to come back another day as they didn't get to prepare for Him
B. Pretend that they were not at home when Jesus came knocking at the door
C. Welcome Jesus and try as best as possible to prepare something scrumptious
D. Sit at Jesus' feet

Rightly, being a good host/hostess is a delicate mix of making the necessary preparations for the guest and personally attending to the guest. Ideally, C & D would go hand in hand. However Mary made the better choice as she discerned what Jesus really required. Her knowledge of Jesus as Teacher allowed her to make the correct choice. Jesus was not the average man, overly concerned about hosting etiquette and fine cuisine etc (Matthew 4:4). His concern was the imparting of His Father's will. All he required was an attentive ear. Jesus lauded Mary because she was able to discern exactly that!

CORRECT ANSWER = D

I can only imagine how the response must have jolted Martha from her stupor. It can happen to any one of us. John 11 shows that Martha was indeed knowledgeable about who Jesus was...but in that moment she was distracted by the choice that could pass... C

In moments when we are faced with those two pesky choices it is important to remember that the mere presence of the better choice makes the 'good choice' incorrect. Jesus is always the better/best choice.

Good better best,
Never let it rest,
Until your good is better,
and your better best.