How many of you know the name Monty Hall? He was the host of the game show, “Let’s Make a Deal.” Contestants would select curtain 1,2 or 3 for their special prize, but before the contestant selected Monty Hall would offer them $500 instead of what was behind the curtain. Behind those curtains was one of several prizes: a living room makeover, a fabulous trip to Rio, a brand new car, a set of diamond jewelry and of course there was always the possibility of a dud—a donkey or an old car. Thousands tuned in every week to dream of winning and vicariously live through each contestant. That is the genius of game shows.

There is a curtain, a door through which you can walk to gain the best prize of all. No, it is not a new car, or a home makeover, or a fabulous vacation. It is a curtain behind which is all the wisdom of the universe, knowledge about everything you need to know, strength to face every situation you will ever encounter for the rest of your life, provision to take care of your every need, genuine and real love—life as you have never lived before. Would you be interested?

We are going to take a peek behind this curtain by looking at a story of two sisters, Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38-42.

The curtain I am speaking of is the curtain of intimacy with Christ. When you possess this, you have everything you need not only to face life, but also to live a full life, a contented life, a victorious life, a positive life, a fulfilling life, and an exciting life. You will have everything you need and then some because life flows from the presence of the Lord. Let’s look behind that curtain.

1. In this story we notice that intimacy is most often never gained or lost through the lure of many good things. In verse 40 we see that Martha became ‘distracted.’ This word means ‘to be drawn away.’ Sometimes bad things distract us, but this wasn’t the case with Martha. She was distracted by good things. Good things often cause us to be enslaved to busyness to the point that there is no time for intimacy with Jesus. This issue is not unique to Christianity. The ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates, wrote, “Beware of the barrenness of a busy life.” Sometimes we as Christians get so busy doing the work of the Lord that we forget the Lord of the work. It happens with our marriages and families. We get so busy doing the things of marriage and parenting that we neglect intimacy with our wives/husbands and our kids. A 1st grader wondered why her Daddy brought home a briefcase of work every evening. Her mother explained that Daddy had so much to do that he couldn’t finish it at the office. Innocently the little girl asked, “Why don’t they put him in a slower group?”

In this Scripture we see some indicators of distractions from the most important thing. Are you, like Martha, ever worried (verse 41)? Worry is an outgrowth of fear. Frustrated?(verse 41). This is a sign of losing perspective. Angry? (verse 40) Anger indicates pride and selfishly hanging onto your ‘rights.’ Do you ever whine and complain? (verse 40) These are the results of losing humility and gratitude all the while wallowing in self-pity.

If this is true of you, then it might be an indication that you have replaced the best thing with some other thing, even with some good things.

2. We also discover that intimacy is the sole portal to what matters most and is eternal. The Internet is an amazing invention thanks to Al Gore. But you don’t just enter this superhighway any place. Everyone must go through a primary portal, an access point. Once you go through that door, before you lay a massive world of information and communication. Only those who choose intimacy with Christ gain entrance to the most important things in life. When everything else fails and fades in this world, the things of God’s Kingdom lasts and stand the test of time. In verse 42, Jesus said that Mary had “chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The clue here is that you can’t get these things from Wal-Mart or Macy’s or from Overstock.com. The curtain of intimacy with Jesus gives you that which you cannot get anywhere else. The things of this life will rust, and break and wear out, but the things of Jesus are indestructible and will not be taken away.

Through intimacy with Jesus you will gain an eternal relationship that will enhance every other relationship in this life. You will be a better person: more loving, kinder, gentler, stronger, more forgiving, less judgmental, greater wisdom, more control. God’s unconditional love will enhance your conditional love to become more unconditional. Intimacy with Jesus makes you a much better person.

Through intimacy with Jesus you gain a clearer vision of reality. Circumstances and situations in this life often cloud and confuse us, but intimacy with Jesus gains you a perspective and wisdom far beyond what this world offers. Your ability to discern right from wrong as well as God’s will and direction will be much sharper. In Psalm 73 we see a classic case of how loss of intimacy leads to clouded reality. The Psalmist was perplexed because the wicked were the ones that prospered. They were healthy, struggle-free, and not plagued by human ills. Yet at the same time they were prideful, violent, callous, evil, malicious, arrogant and carefree. Notice verse 13, “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure.” Verse 16, “When I tried to understand all this it was oppressive to me TIL I ENTERED THE SANCTUARY OF GOD, THEN I UNDERSTOOD THEIR FINAL DESTINY.” Verse 27, “Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Intimacy with God gives us a realistic perspective.

We also experience adventure with Jesus. Following Jesus is not boring in the least. Knowing Jesus unleashes a passion and excitement for time and for eternity.

This kind of relationship, reality and adventure exists only behind the curtain of intimacy with Jesus.

3. We also discover that intimacy with Jesus only comes through an invitation and a choice. In no other of the world’s religions does God initiate a desire to be intimate with us, but our God does. Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me….” John 7:73, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me….” Revelations 22:17, “Let the one who is thirsty come….”

Mary found intimacy (Luke 10:39) because she sat at Jesus’ feet. She wasn’t busy doing good things. She realized what was really important and she made it a priority to be with Jesus. If we are to experience intimacy with Jesus, we need to take the time to enter into God’s presence. Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus will mean that you have to say ‘no’ to some other, less important things.

Mary found intimacy with Jesus because she listened to His words. She was paying attention. She was focused on Him. She was concentrating on His words and the truth He spoke. Intimacy with Jesus doesn’t just happen because we enter the church. We don’t get it through osmosis. This intimacy is found when we intentionally listen to God’s Word and His Spirit.

And that involves a choice. In verse 42 Jesus said to Martha, “Mary has chosen what is better.” Most of Christian living is a choice. Which curtain will you select? We don’t know what is behind the curtains. It may be a home makeover, a luxurious car, a 2-week vacation in Tahiti, or it may be a rusty wheelbarrow. The good news is that we do know behind which curtain is intimacy with Jesus. The question is—which curtain will we choose? You can choose the good, or you can choose the best.

Thank You for Taking The Time to Read This Message.
May God Use These Words to Help You and Strengthen You.