Martha and Mary’s Service
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Big Idea: Don’t let your service to the Lord keep you from His Word
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.”
Martha:
Sister to Lazarus and Mary
Seems to have been the head of the house
May have been a widow
You knew where you stood with Martha. She was blunt: “where were you when Lazarus was dying?” John11.21
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
She had eyes to see who Jesus was.
Luke, Vol. 1—That You May Know the Truth Martha’s Confession
Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Martha confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” (John 11:27). How did Martha come to this? She had chosen the “one thing.” She sat with Mary at Jesus’ feet. She was an avid hearer of the Word. And the church was built on the granite of such confession. We should never, ever disdain Martha.
Jesus seems to have enjoyed staying here. They were friends and they were hospitable to him
So let’s not be too hard on Martha! She was a believer, and she loved Jesus. When we observe this moment where she is corrected by Jesus, let us not go too far and say more than what the bible says. She was indeed a devout servant of Christ. Yet, there is a lesson here for his followers: We need to be careful that our service to the Lord does not interfere with our relationship with him. We can indeed become so busy with the activities of ministry that we neglect our relationship with him. This is a danger not only for those in full-time ministry, but for those who love the church and love to serve.
Our verse verse tells us that Martha welcomed Jesus into her house. And now, having the great Teacher there, she sets about to prepare. Some people are more gifted at hospitality than others. They know how to have company over. They love the preparations, yet when not everyone else is pitching in to help out, the one working hard can easily be frustrated and even become bitter.
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
Scripture does not say explicitly that Martha was the older sister. We may infer that from her leadership role in both this story and the account of Lazarus’ death.
Karen & Jim illustration
Karen was always busy about the house.
Jim wanted to sit and enjoy the company
This story is very relatable to many of us.
Mary wanted to listen to the teachings of Jesus
He was a guest in their home and this was a limited-time opportunity, to be right there, hearing him first-hand.
This shows:
Her love for Jesus
Her love for his Word
She was affectionately learning from the Master
A mark of a follower of Christ is a desire to know him better through His Word.
She sat at his feet
Jesus did not object to teaching a woman
But Martha was getting frustrated, perhaps even bitter. So much so that she rebukes, not Mary, but the guest of honor!
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.”
She was blunt, and some might have said rude, to draw her guest into her domestic dispute with her sister. But Jesus, in a gentle way, corrects Martha.
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.”
Martha, Martha: an affectionate and gentle way to speak to her
Some have interpreted this to mean she is making it a five course meal when only one is needed.
In that case, it would not be about sitting and learning and communing vs being busy, but instead would be about complexity vs simplicity. But that would miss the real point, which is about the most important thing.
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
Japanese wrapping illustration:
So what is more important to us? The activity of serving Christ, or Christ himself?
We are in a season of service and reflection.
Even today, we both eat and celebrate together, and serve as we decorate the church. Yet, let us remember that our relationships are more important. Relationships with each other, to be sure. And our relationship with Christ.
Lessons not to take from this:
Do not say we should never serve. Service is part of our life as believers
Do not say Martha is some kind of subpar believer. Remember that she was a true follower, and even true followers sometimes need to be reminded of the main thing.
Do not say I need not help with the work because I am busy reading my bible. However, if your work is keeping you from time with the Lord, adjustments to your schedule and priorities may be called for.
Remember last week: Luk10.27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Heart and soul - Mary did well. Martha also, but maybe misplaced her priorities.
Strength - Martha did well
Mind - Mary did well, perhaps Martha wanted to, but felt she must play the good hostess first
Neighbor - Martha excelled at this. She wanted to be a great hostess.
The believer needs to work to be well-rounded in all these: Heart, soul, strength and mind.
If Jesus were here, and we said of our brother or sister, tell them to focus more on one of these, what might he reply to us? Would he tell you to chose the good portion?
Finally, the good portion will not be taken away.
David understood the importance of the good portion.
A Miktam of David.
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you.”
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
David and Mary shared a desire to receive the Lord himself as their portion.
They received his counsel
He made known to them the path of life, which brings joy and everlasting pleasures.