Table Talk Session 3
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Exegete
Exegete
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 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.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
This story is proceeded by the sending of the 72 and the story of the good samaritan.
Im not sure if this is the first meeting of Jesus with Mary and Martha. It sure seems to be that way in the text.
According to Leon Morris commentary, this is only place this story is found in gospels.
He also says that the story isnt place chronological, but theological to protect the reader from thinking salvation is by works.
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
Morris says that elsewhere the village is identified as Bethany.
He says it insinuates that the house belonged to Martha and she may be the older sister.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
Even though i am not sure how long they have known Jesus, Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to him. He is her teacher.
Mary is greek for Miriam. I believe this was the name of Moses’ sister. It is. looked it up.
40 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.”
We almost immediately see Luke place value on sitting and listening to Jesus instead of “distration by serving”
This is contrary to Martha, in that she sees more value in serving Jesus than learning from him.
As I go along, i will be curious to answer the question, what about now?
Jesus said to celebrate while the bridegroom is here when there was a complaint about the disciples wanting to just be with him instead of serving.
Is there an argument that now serving is more important or just as important as learning and listening?
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
I see the heart of the issue here. Its not just that martha wanted to serve Jesus. Anxiousness and worry were driving her behavior.
She was working to do a ton of stuff because she was consumed with worry about getting it all done and everything being perfect for Jesus.
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Morris discusses the comparison of foods here, or portions. Martha wants a big fancy meal for Jesus and he says there is only one portion needed. Spiritual food.
Sounds familiar. The disciples once asked him, did you get some food and he told them, he had food from his father, spiritual food.
This is a very short story.
My original question was that is it necessary to only focus on listening to jesus now that he is gone or should we work on serving just as much?
This may not be the right question. Jesus is showing the importance of spiritual food, once again, over physical provision.
Mary’s response to Jesus is to listen and trust.
Martha’s response is to work to provide for God and worry along the way.