Good & Best in the Kingdom

Pastoral Prayer for Sunday November 23rd, 2025. Lord, you have shown yourself to be a faithful God. You give us all that we need for life and godliness. You give us good things and warn us of those things which will do us harm. Help us Lord, especially in times of temptation to trust you. It has is been said that what we thing about when we think about you is the most important things about us. Keep us from worshipping the wrong god or the right God in wrong ways. Help us to understand you and truly examine if what we believe about you is what is truly from your word or have we come to misunderstandings of who you are and what you do. Thank you Lord that you rescued your people from sin and death. Help us to trust you even when life is unsure. * God as worldwide attention has now come upon Nigeria because of the continued genocide of Christians in this region, we pray for further decisive action to be taken by the Nigerian authorities, specifically requesting that the government would strengthen its security measures and ultimately pursue lasting peace across the nation. We remember the grieving families whose loved ones have been tragically killed in the attacks, as well as all those whose homes, communities and livelihoods have been destroyed. We pray for healing and restoration, asking you Lord to provide them greatly needed strength, practical provisions and hope as they recover from such unimaginable loss. Lord would you intercede on behalf of our Christian brothers and sisters who have been kidnapped, to protect them while you people see to work out their safe release. * Father, with the continuing conflict in Sudan, we pray for a swift and peaceful end to the war. We pray for the millions of people displaced, in and outside of Sudan, because of the war. God please help in the life-saving relief aid that it will reach the people that need it. Lord we pray for you to comfort and emotionally and spiritually restore the traumatized. Please protect the Sudanese church, as they see to evangelize the Muslims of Sudan. Would you open their eyes and draw them unto you in repentance and faith. Father we pray that you will protect all women and children who are vulnerable to sexual violence. We pray that you would prevent further boys and men either being killed or forced into fighting by either side. Lord would you bring justice to be administered swiftly and transparently where there have been clear violations of human rights. * Father, we pray that you may intercede in our nation, as we come to you expressing concerns about Bill C-9, which seeks to limit free speech and freedom of expression. As the burning of places of worship continues to be dismissed, the sharing of your truth continues to be restricted, we pray that your people would stand for your truth and let their voices be heard. * Lord, in a difficult week for Anna and Thea, with the passing of their cousins, help them seek comfort in you and be comforted by your people. * God, please guide Alex and Cami in their ministry among our children and youth here. May they find new accommodation as needed and help them in managing many of the new challenges in having a young family together. * Lord, as Judith undertook particularly difficulty cancer treatments this week, we pray that the final treatments before her surgery would soon be completed and any remaining cancer can be removed. May she be energized to continue to function, and help her with her circulation problems that mobility may continue. Please sustain her spirit to rely on you. * God, we pray that you would help Paul in receiving the nursing care that he needs in treating his foot problems. May that heal and may he return to mobility again. * Lord please help Una find a specialist to determine the source of the problems with her arm, in order to restore function again. * Lord, please strengthen Francis through his many assessments and teaching responsibilities in teacher's college. May you bring clarity of mind and peace of heart to manage the various responsibilities. * Father, we thank you that Jose and Lolita have been able to recently sell their home. May nothing interfere with the closing of the sale. Lord, we thank you as well that Kevin's son has been able to obtain a house out west. As Kevin travels to help in the settling in of this new home, guide him in the journey and encouragement in this new family development. * Father, as preparations continue to be made for our Advent celebrations including the Christmas Gala, help us to think of opportunities to welcome others at this time of year. May our homes be open for the ministry of hospitality and show the love of Christ in tangible ways. * Lord, we thank you for the time the ladies had together yesterday for their ladies' breakfast, in packing shoe boxes and realizing you as the one sovereign over our plans, travels and prayers for understanding and following your will. * Lord today as we send off the shoe boxes through Operation Christmas Child program. Would you use them to reach children with the Gospel through the initial presentation and the continued Greatest journey discipleship program. Bless this effort as we see the ongoing need to impact the next generation for Christ. Help us to raise up the teachers and helpers that we need to care for those young minds entrusted among us. * Father, we thank you for the family evangelism seminar presented yesterday by Maranatha. We thank you that we can use what you have given us here to minister together. Help us in coordinating ministry among us, reaching the families that participate in music programs here and inviting others to be a part of the wonderful things you are doing among us. May none of us be passive to the important work you have called us to do in evangelism and discipleship. Help us to see the importance of publically committing to your work and actively serving the needs of others among us. * Finally, God, we lament how we see you ignored or dismissed as people exchange the truth about you for a lie, worshipping and serving the creature rather than you the Creator. Help us to never seek the gifts from you over you yourself. You have clearly revealed yourself and none can legitimately claim to not perceive your eternal power and divine nature. Those who in rebellion against you store up wrath for the coming day of wrath, but thanks be to God that your people, who repent of sin and trust you alone for eternal life are saved from this wrath that is to come. Help us to worship you in reverence and awe, sharing your word in this urgent hour being your instruments to rescue the perishing. Through Christ we pray. Amen. Luke 10:38-42. "Good & Best in the Kingdom" (p.816) Ajax Alliance Church. Sunday November 23rd, 2025. Luke 10:38-42. [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." (ESV) The word "priority" is a commonly used one today. Books and seminars purporting to teach people how get their lives in order by understanding and setting their priorities abound. As people's lives become more frenetic, frantic, disjointed, and disconnected, they battle to stay focused on what should be their priorities. A priority is by definition a matter that ranks above all others in importance. Balancing work and reflection is tricky. Most people in Western cultures often have schedules that are full of "good" activity, labor that has merit. One of the demands of a full schedule is that the activity be prioritized. Some things come high on the list; others must wait. Sometimes priorities have to be shuffled at the last minute to meet needs. The account of Martha and Mary is about such priorities, especially when the options are good ones (Bock, D. L. (1994). Luke. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Lk 10:38). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.). The record of the interplay between Mary and Martha in Luke 10, is a story about priorities. It is unique, in that it appears nowhere else in the Gospels. Despite its brevity, it occupies an important place in the flow of Luke's gospel and conveys an essential truth by revealing the highest priority of the Christian life, that of loving God. It makes a fitting follow-up to the story of the Good Samaritan, which stressed the importance of loving one's neighbor as evidence of loving God. The good Samaritan is an example of active doing; Mary is an example of quiet listening. Martha is very busy serving her neighbor, but what she is doing is not so essential as what Mary is doing. A service that bypasses the Word is one that will never have lasting character. The example of Mary correctly shows that hearing God's Word must be our first priority (Prange, V. H. (1988). Luke. The People's Bible (p. 127). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.). The parable of the good Samaritan, that we saw last week, has provided a powerful comment on the person-to-person dimension of God's requirement of love. Now we are invited to attend to the vertical aspect of love of God, which comes to expression as a preoccupation with the word of God as brought by Jesus. The two accounts mutually qualify one another: the emphasis on practical activity in the Samaritan story keeps us from one-sidely exalting the "contemplative" life after the pattern of Mary; while the Martha/Mary episode warns that preoccupation with the practical affairs of life, even when apparently given over to the service of the kingdom of God, easily seduces one away from a wholehearted attention to the things of God (Nolland, J. (1998). Luke 9:21-18:34. Word Biblical Commentary (Vol. 35B, p. 605). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.). In presenting the truth to our Neighbors, the story of Mary and Martha, is a great example of priorities and warning of what is good to share and do can displace what is best to share and do. The story of Mary and Martha is about the necessity of the priority of the Word of God in a life of active service for the Master. In fact, the teachings of Jesus were dramatically actualized in both women's lives. Both are women of excellence and noble character (Hughes, R. K. (1998). Luke: that you may know the truth. Preaching the Word (pp. 394-395). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.). From Luke 10:38-42, in presenting the truth to our Neighbors by Prioritizing the Word of God, in two ways, we must be: 1) Devoted to the Best (Luke 10:38-39), without being: 2) Distracted by the Good (Luke 10:40-42). In presenting the truth to our Neighbors, we are to be: 1) Devoted to the Best (Luke 10:38-39) Luke 10:38-39. [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. (ESV) As the story begins in verse 38, Jesus and those accompanying Him went on their way/were traveling, as they would do throughout Judea. Where this incident fits chronologically into the Lord's journey to Jerusalem is not known, but Luke placed it here for a specific purpose. No locale is named, because the event is more important than the place (Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (pp. 1039-1040). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.) Though he does not name the village Christ entered, John tells us it was Bethany, where Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus lived (John 11:1; 12:1-3). According to John 11:18, Bethany "was near Jerusalem, about two miles off," so Jesus was in the vicinity of Jerusalem, though not for the last time. As the Lord entered the village, He met a woman named Martha. Luke's introduction of her as a woman suggests that Jesus had not yet met her. This may have been the first of many times He stayed in the home she shared with Mary and Lazarus. Luke appears not to have placed it in chronological sequence, for Bethany was near Jerusalem and at a later time. Jesus was still far from the capital (17:11). He may have placed it immediately after the preceding parable as a safeguard against any of his readers coming under the misapprehension that salvation is by works (Morris, L. (1988). Luke: an introduction and commentary. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Vol. 3, pp. 209-210). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.). Neither Jesus nor His messengers always received a welcome in the villages they visited (cf. 9:51-53; 10:10-12). But in this case Martha enthusiastically welcomed Him into her home and entertained Him as a highly-prized guest. Martha is an Aramaic name that means "mistress" (i.e., a female head of a household), which suits her character and position. She may well have been a widow, since there is no mention of her husband and Luke describes the place as her home. Since she is usually mentioned first when the sisters are named together (John 11:29-30; 12:2-3), Martha was probably the older of the two. Along with her sister, Martha evidently was a believer in Jesus, since she called Him "Lord" (v.40). The house belonged to her, and she appears throughout to be the older sister. (Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 109.) * Homes can be wonderful environments to meet our neighbors. It is a non-threatening, and neutral feeling ground. A church building can be intimating, but a home can feel like a warm, welcoming environment where people feel at ease to share and discuss the word of God. Luke does not mention Martha's brother Lazarus in verse 39 but does reveal that she had a sister called Mary. The text uses her Hebrew name, Miriam; Maria is Greek, Mary is English, the same name in different languages (Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Lk 10:38-42). Dallas, TX: 3E Ministries.). The Lord frequently stayed with Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus at Bethany, near to Jerusalem. Here were disciples who had not become homeless in following the Lord, but who used and opened their home for him (Childress, G. (2006). Opening up Luke's Gospel. Opening Up Commentary (p. 97). Leominster: Day One Publications.). Although Martha was mentioned first, Mary is the central figure in the story and an example for all believers to follow. After He entered the house, she sat at the Lord's feet, listening to His teaching/word. Her position, as close to Him as she could get, indicates Mary's intense interest in His teaching. Though this was a typical position for students of a rabbi, in first-century Judaism rabbis did not take women as students. Being positioned "at the Lord's feet," signifies her submissiveness (Cf. 7:38, 44-46; 8:35, 41; 17:16; Acts 4:35, 37; 5:2; 7:58; 10:25; 22:3), particularly her status as a disciple (cf. Acts 22:3). For the Third Gospel, to be listening to His teaching/word is to have joined the road of discipleship (e.g., 6:47; 8:11, 21; 11:28). The imperfect tense of the verb translated listening suggests a continual hearing on her part. Mary's attention was riveted to the most powerful, clear, truthful teacher who ever spoke (Green, J. B. (1997). The Gospel of Luke. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (p. 435). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.) Please turn back to Luke 6 (p.810) In Luke 8:21 Jesus defined His true spiritual brethren as "these who hear the word of God and do it," and later said, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it" (11:28). In the parable of the soils, He declared that "the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance" (8:15). James exhorted his readers to "prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22). Paul was confident that the Thessalonians' faith was genuine, because "when [they] received the word of God ... [they] accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in [those] who believe" (1 Thess. 2:13).Mary demonstrated the attitude of a true believer. In Luke 6 Jesus defined a genuine disciple: Luke 6:46-49. [46]"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? [47] Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: [48] he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. [49] But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." (ESV) * Mary understood that the highest priority for a believer is to hear the truth that has come from heaven (cf. John 8:43-47). For all of us, this passage illustrates, the supreme priority for believers is to hear the revealed Word of God. It is foundational to the other spiritual duties, all of which are motivated, informed, and defined by Scripture. Quote: Don Whitney writes: "No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God's Word. Nothing can substitute for it. There simply is no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of Scripture. The reasons for this are obvious. In the Bible God tells us about Himself, and especially about Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God. The Bible unfolds the Law of God to us and shows us how we've all broken it. There we learn how Christ died as a sinless, willing Substitute for breakers of God's Law and how we must repent and believe in Him to be right with God. In the Bible we learn the ways and will of the Lord. We find in Scripture how to live in a way that is pleasing to God as well as best and most fulfilling for ourselves. None of this eternally essential information can be found anywhere else except the Bible. Therefore, if we would know God and be Godly, we must know the Word of God-intimately" (Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life [Colorado Springs, Colo.: Navpress, 1991], 24) * We fail in our greatest priority if we are neither in scripture or fail to share it. We become a false witness when our lives publically contradict it. We tell people by our action or inaction that the contents of scripture are either impotent or mere fable. * The greatest thing we can do for ourselves and for our neighbors is to be in the word of God. We need to hear it, read it, study it, meditate on it, and discuss it. We need to share it both in oral form and give written copies or excerpts. In order to show how it is true we need to live out its truths. When this happens, our neighbors will see how it indeed is life changing. Finally, in presenting the truth to our Neighbors, we are to avoid being: 2) Distracted by the Good (Luke 10:40-42). Luke 10:40-42. [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." (ESV) Unfortunately, even genuine believers can lose their focus on what really matters. Unlike her sister, Martha was distracted from hearing the Lord's teaching, being preoccupied with much serving/all her preparations. But pause a moment-how do you prepare for One who can turn water into wine and feed five thousand men besides women and children? How do you cater for One who taught, "Be not anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' ... for your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided"? (Mt. 6:33) Martha overlooked this, and her anxiety drove her to ask Jesus to suspend His teaching of Mary (Mills, M. S. (1999). The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record (Lk 10:38-42). Dallas, TX: 3E Ministries.) Martha was distracted which literally means, "to be dragged away" (periespato) implying that her attention was drawn away by the burden of her duties (Leifeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. (F. E. Gaebelein, Ed.) The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke (pp. 944-945). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.). * Jesus did not chide Martha for serving elaborately but for allowing her mind to be distracted and drawn away to things that for the moment were unimportant.. So many still have a thousand things to which to attend and no quiet hour for the Scriptures, for prayer, or for public worship (Lenski, R. C. H. (1961). The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel (p. 613). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House.). * It's not too difficult to see how recreation, work, or sports, all good things in themselves, can all keep us from the Lord's teaching. Without prioritizing activity, we can let the urgent crowd out the important. We can let good things that we have to do, crowd out what should be our first priority. She allowed her serving/preparations, such as fixing a meal for the guests and making arrangements for where they would sleep, to keep her from the priority of listening to the Lord teach. Just as Luke has shown that hated Samaritans may be more likely to be found in the kingdom than proud religious functionaries, he now demonstrates another category of the humble, to whom the Father has revealed himself through the Son. It was expected that Jewish women in the first century were to find their place serving men in situations such as this one. They were considered by many to be inferior to men intellectually, physically, and spiritually. Jesus (and Luke) do not accept this low view of women, as already seen by Jesus' inclusion of women among the disciples (in Luke 8:1-3; Luke has already commended these women for sharing their possessions). In this story Mary shows herself to be another of the little ones to whom God has revealed himself (10:21), one who has come to know the Father through the Son (10:22), one who has been blessed to see what prophets and kings wanted to see (10:23) (Black, M. C. (1995). Luke. College Press NIV Commentary (Lk 10:38-42). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub.). There is certainly nothing wrong with showing hospitality; in fact, Scripture commands it. Paul wrote that believers are to be constantly "practicing hospitality" (Rom. 12:13). The writer of Hebrews exhorted, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it" (Heb. 13:2), while Peter commanded, "Be hospitable to one another without complaint" (1 Peter 4:9). Showing hospitality marks both elders (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8) and godly women (1 Tim. 5:10). But in the process of doing that, Martha got her priorities twisted; she was fussing and fretting, trying to get everything arranged to her satisfaction, maybe to make an impression on Jesus. As a result, she failed to take advantage of a rare and priceless opportunity-to hear in person the Lord of the universe teach and be impressed profoundly by Him. Her misguided priorities finally caused Martha to lose the joy of serving. She became more and more flustered, agitated, and frustrated, until finally she became angry. The target of her anger was her sister who, instead of helping with the chores, was sitting there listening to Jesus. Finally, in exasperation, Martha went up to Jesus and interrupted Him. Her irritation and anger caused her to lose control and make the unthinking accusation, "Lord, do You not care?" To so rebuke the one who is "compassionate and gracious" (Ex. 34:6; 2 Chron. 30:9; Neh. 9:17, 31; Pss. 103:8; 111:4; 116:5; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2) and cares for His people (1 Peter 5:7; cf. Ps. 34:15; Matt. 6:26-30) is one of the most foolish and graceless statements anyone ever made to Jesus. The sharpness of Martha's language suggests that we should see a deliberate contrast between Martha as she tells Jesus what he must say and Mary who listens to what Jesus wishes to say (Nolland, J. (1998). Luke 9:21-18:34. Word Biblical Commentary (Vol. 35B, p. 606). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.). * There are two dangerous ways that this can translate in relating the truth to our neighbors. First, we may be so busy with programs and events, that we lose sight with approaching our neighbors. Second, and even worse, we may look with distain on their activities, accuse them of not caring about important things and have an attitude of them getting their just deserts. This missing the attitude of compassion and care for others that Jesus exhibited in regarding the harvest and the good Samaritan had for the injured man. * For ourselves, we often spend too much time evaluating the walk of others and too little time being self-critical about our own actions for Jesus. Think of how more effective the church would be if we gave half the energy to assessing our own walk than we often do to assessing the walk of others. A community suffocates when all its energy is spent being an assessment agency for one another. What is really crucial for an effective community is for each member to take individual responsibility for his or her own walk and to allow the community to minister in a positive and encouraging way to each other. That does not mean ignoring sin in the midst of the community, but it does mean being slow to make assessments in areas that have nothing to do with sin. Martha crossed this line. The Lord refused to hear her complaint. Mary needed to be honored for her choice (Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke. The NIV Application Commentary (p. 306). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.). Please turn to John 6 (p.838) Specifically, Martha accused Jesus of not caring that her sister had left her to serve alone. And if He did care, then He should tell her to help bear the burden of serving. After falsely accusing Him of not caring, Martha then presumed to tell the Lord exactly what to do, implying that her will and her plans were more important than His. She had lost her perspective; she was totally out of control; her view of reality was severely skewed. Martha was worried about the bread that feeds the body while Mary's focus was on the Bread of Life that feeds the soul (cf. John 6:33, 35, 48, 51). Jesus explained this in John 6: John 6:33-51. [33] For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." [34] They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always." [35] Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. [36] But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. [37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. [38] For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. [40]For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." [41] So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven." [42] They said, "Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?" [43] Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves. [44] No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. [45] It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me-- [46] not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. [47] Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [48]I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. [50] This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. [51]I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh." (ESV) Demonstrating the gentle, compassionate care that Martha had unthinkingly questioned, the Lord answered her, back in Luke 10:41"Martha, Martha. Repeating her name as a sign of intensified emotion (cf. 6:46; 8:24; 13:34), probably both a rebuke and an expression of sympathy for Martha's frustration (Redford, D. (2007). The life and ministry of Jesus: the Gospels. Standard Reference Library: New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 209). Cincinnati, OH: Standard Pub.) Jesus said to her, "You are anxious/worried and troubled/bothered about many things." Martha was unduly concerned and troubled about temporal things to the point that she had forgotten, as verse 42 points out that one thing is necessary/needed-listening to the Word of God. Attention to the word of God supplies an integrating center and makes possible a singleness of vision. This is the one thing that is necessary/needed (Nolland, J. (1998). Luke 9:21-18:34. Word Biblical Commentary (Vol. 35B, p. 605). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.). Far from rebuking her as Martha had demanded, Jesus commended Mary for understanding that reality. "Mary has chosen the good portion/part (lit., "what is best"), He told Martha, which will not be taken away from her." She will not be forced to stop listening; the blessings of the kingdom of God or her heavenly reward will not be lost (Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke. The New American Commentary (Vol. 24, p. 321). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) The highest priority for those who would be activists for God is listening to his Word. Jesus informs Martha that the Word will not be taken away from Mary. Jesus here provides wisdom for all who are serving Christ in various callings. It is all too common, and too easy, for our service to Christ to drag us away from his Word. There is a tendency for people who are wound tight like Martha to give everything to their particular area of calling or interest (be it evangelism, the protection of the unborn, administration, marriage and family, care for the poor, or whatever) and to allow that interest to so dominate their lives that they have little time to let God's Word speak to them. Without the benefit of the Word, they adopt a mind-set of narrowness, judgmentalism, or fault-finding. And eventually the creativity and vitality they once gave to their area of ministry sours. They have unwittingly lost the "one thing," the "better" thing that Christ promised would not be taken from Mary. They have lost the "integrating center which makes possible a singleness of vision" and action (John Nolland, Luke 9:21-18:34, Vol. 2 (Dallas: 1993), p. 606.). * Life is short. We need to choose very deliberately. Life does not automatically arrange itself into proper priorities. Amidst a thousand other duties we must make sitting at Jesus' feet the "one thing"-the "better" thing-the primary focus of our hearts and lives (J. C. Ryle, Luke: Vol. I (Cambridge, England: James Clarke & Co. Ltd., 1976), p. 388.) All too often Christians, like Martha, allow their lives to be regulated by what is not necessary. Faithfulness on the job, in the home, and in the church has a place, but must not be allowed to replace faithfulness to divine truth. "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the Lord. (Deut. 8:3). To follow Jesus, is to be attentive to His word. As important as service is, it must first start with knowing and obeying His word. One of the facts of life is that its demands are often all consuming. In fact, much of life is spent fulfilling these demands. Such was Martha's situation when Jesus visited her. She was diligent in preparing an appropriate meal for the teacher. In contrast, Mary simply sat down. She was not lifting a finger to help, and Martha was disturbed. But Mary had made the right choice, according to Jesus. The disciple who reflects on Jesus' teaching receives a meal that is never removed. To sit at Jesus' feet is the disciple's priority. The worries of life should never prevent one from consuming God's word. This is Luke's message to disciples: sit at Jesus' feet and devour his teaching, since there is no more important meal (Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke Volume 2: 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (pp. 1042-1043). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.). * What good things in your life are getting in the way of the best thing in being in the word of God yourself, and sharing the word with your neighbor? Poem: The following poem expresses as beautifully as possible the thought of this passage; it is entitled "Cumbered about much serving:" "Christ never asks of us such busy labour As leaves no time for resting at his feet; The waiting attitude of expectation He ofttimes counts a service most complete. "He sometimes wants our ear-our rapt attention, That he some sweetest secret may impart; 'Tis always in the time of deepest silence That heart finds deepest fellowship with heart "We sometimes wonder why our Lord doth place us Within a sphere so narrow, so obscure, That nothing we call work can find an entrance There's only room to suffer-to endure! "Well, God loves patience! Souls that dwell in stillnew Doing the little things, or resting quite, May just as perfectly fulfil their mission, Be just as useful in the Father's sight, "As they who grapple with some giant evil, Clearing a path that every eye may see! Our Saviour cares for cheerful acquiescence Rather than for a busy ministry. "And yet he does love service, where 'tis given By grateful love that clothes itself in deed; But work that's done beneath the scourge of duty, Be sure to such he gives but little heed. "Then seek to please him, whatsoe'er he bids thee! Whether to do-to suffer-to lie still! 'Twill matter little by what path he led us, if in it all we sought to do his will." (From Randolph's 'At the Beautiful Gate.') (Format note: some base commentary from MacArthur, John F (2011-02-21). Luke 6-10 MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Macarthur New Testament Commentary Series) (p. 361-366). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition. 8