Luke 10:38-42

“Quality Over Quantity”

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quality over quantity

read passage

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

break it down

Luke 10:38–39 ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

Martha and Mary are the sisters of Lazarus

now here in this passage we do not see it mentioned where they live however in John 11:1 it is said that they live in Bethany which sits 2 miles outside of Jerusalem

Lets first talk culture and custom here = Discipleship was a position mainly reserved for the men, and disciples would mainly take there position at jesus’ feet, by Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet she was assuming the position of a disciple

why this? = it sets the scene…

Luke 10:40 ESV

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

lets talk about this word distracted real quick =

The word “distracted” means to be drawn away, driven about mentally, over-occupied. Very literally, it means to be pulled and dragged in different directions.

Martha’s distraction leads to a sense of aloneness and self-righteousness, to self-focus and questions about Jesus’s care.

Martha’s distraction leads to five Ds:

Disbelief – Martha asks Jesus, “Do you not care…?”

Defensiveness – Martha defends her place: “My sister has left me to serve alone.”

Dismissiveness – Martha depersonalizes Mary as “my sister,” as though Mary is not even there.

Demands – Martha flat out says to Jesus, “Tell her to help me.”

Desperation – Martha attempts to control the situation—and Jesus—with her comment about being alone.

Martha’s distracted serving led her to a place she did not want to go.

Martha surely regrets the way she speaks to Jesus.

has anyone been there before??

your so overwhelmed by your troubles and anxiousness and tasks that eventually you blow up = usually on the person who has nothing to do with it and immediately regret it?? if your a man and are or have been married, you’ve probably been there…

preach on this

conclude

lets look at Jesus’ response

luke 10.41-42

Luke 10:41–42 ESV

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Preach on this = one thing is necessary

as a minister my priorities were always God, Family, Church

we can mix up God with Church and totally skip over family

we can mix up God and church and totally overwhelm ourselves with task

more importantly we can mix up God and Church and totally skip over God and sitting at Jesus’ feet…

I dont want us to simply focus today on rest because to do so would be saying Mary was right and we should be team Mary

however to sympathize with Martha might indicate that Martha was actually right and we should be team Martha =

ultimately as much as a lot of preachers tend to like to make this an either or passage I want to say I don’t think its a story of choosing sides

this passage indicates that discipleship is BOTH

This is not a Team Martha vs Team Mary

Hard workers beware. Note three potential problems:

1. While asking for help (a legitimate request), you point to your own accomplishments (prideful).

2. While calling Jesus “Lord” (certainly appropriate), you question his judgment with implied criticism that he is not directing his team effectively (suggesting you are a better chief than he).

3. While acknowledging your relationship to another person (Martha referred to her sister), you criticize that person for failing to follow your lead (imposing your will as right and good just because it’s productive).

A better way:

• Never assume your own greatness.

• Support others in their special roles.

• Ask Jesus first; then get to work.

HOLY SPIRIT TAKE OVER……