The Journey - Rest Stops

John 17:4 ESV

4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

When going on a journey there seems to be 2 types of people, those who care about the destination and those who care about the journey.

In 2010, when Amanda and I first moved to california, before we had kids, planned to go out to yosemite national park in order to hike half dome. Now if you’ve ever done this hike, or researched it, you know that it takes roughly 12-15 hours round trip. And for the first part it is pretty much all uphill.

Now…for me, I’ll never complain about driving. I love driving. I prefer driving.

Now for me, I wanted to get to the top as soon as possible. But the problem is that Amanda brought a camera. This caused a little tension in our journey. Why? Because 12-15 hours is without stoppig to take pictures every half mile.

Amanda likes to take pictures.

You can imagine that trip was filled with a lot of me saying, “Come on!” And a lot of Amanda saying, “I want to remember this.”

You see, to me it was all about the destination. For amanda is was about the journey too.

Now, because of Amanda’s picture taking, the trip took longer. But because of her picture taking, we have some pretty awesome memories of that day.

Now, no I haven’t learned to be greatful for the camera, but I have learned to keep my mouth shut.]

We are on a journey of faith that will eventually lead us to an eternity with Jesus, but we have to remember that our journey isn’t just about what we are doing to get there, but to enjoy the journey as well.

Turn in your Bibles to .

The story we are looking at today is the story of 2 sisters with very different reactions to Jesus coming for a visit. We get a small picture of how these 2 sisters respond to Jesus’ visit and it begs the questions, “HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?”

Let’s read:

Luke 5:16 ESV

16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Luke 5:15–16 ESV

15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Luke

Luke 10:

Luke 10:38–42 ESV

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 likely a balance of the preceding story. In Christianity there is always the temptation to fall into the error that our standing before God is based on working really hard. The story of the good Samaritan is one about showing mercy and doing good works in contrast to ignoring those in need. The story of Mary and Martha seems to be on the other side of that. To tell us that doing nothing but spending time with Jesus is just as important as acts of kindness and mercy.

So when we think about our Journey with Jesus, we must remember:

Big Idea: Don’t be afraid to stop along the way.

It would be easy to judge these 2 women by their actions recorded in this very short story.

It would be easy to think, well Martha is always like this. Or Mary never helps Martha. Let’s not jump to conclusions. We’re being given a small slice of their life in this story. So let’s not bring anything to the text with us.

So what does the passage say.

Jesus and His disciples were coming to town.

Martha invited them into her home.

Martha got busy serving.

Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened. (Let’s not forget how very out of the ordinary this would have been for a woman in that time to join in with the men to listen to Jesus. That she’s sitting on the floor should tell us something about what’s going on in that house.)

Martha rebukes Jesus for allowing this. (Anyone here ever rebuked God for allowing someone else to do somehting we disagree with....”God why are you allowing this?”)

Jesus affirms Mary’s choice as better than the alternative for her. What she is doing....is better than serving.”

The first thing we can learn from this story is to not be like Martha, but it’s not exactly what you might think.

1. Avoid the comparison game.

This is not a criticism of anyone who is working for and serving Jesus. Jesus never rebuked Martha for serving Him. It wasn’t until she jumped on the comparison game that Jesus even speaks about the tension brewing in that household.

Illustration: Have you ever found yourself comparing yourself to others. At home? At work? Why won’t this person help me? I’m better than them, why did they get a promotion and not me? Why am I the only one doing anything?

For Pastor’s this is a very real issue. There are churches and Pastor who are constantly praying that God would make their congregation help them! Certainly not here though....right?

So if you are going to serve, serve with a heart full of worship. Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing.

Jesus did not come to settle sibling rivalry and household disputes.

Now before we get too far down this thought, lets not assume that there are only 2 types of people; Marthas and Marys: those who serve and those who sit at the feet of Jesus. The truth is just because you’re not martha does not make you mary.

someone might say, “well I don’t like to serve. I don’t have time to serve. I can come to church on sunday and listen to God’s word.” You’re not Mary.

If someone says, I identity with Mary. I’m going to ask, how’s your prayer life? What’s it like to feel that connected to God? Talk to me about what you are reading in scripture. What are you learning by sitting at the feet of Jesus throughout the week? These are important questions that we have to answer. And if we can’t, maybe we’re not Mary, maybe we are just lazy.

I don’t believe that Mary was being lazy. If she had, Jesus wouldn’t have condoned her sin. The point of this passage is not to judge martha but to learn from Mary. There is a time to serve, but we must never assume that those who spend time with Jesus in prayer and listening to God’s word aren’t doing very real work for the kingdom of God

So…what can we learn from Mary?

2. Don’t neglect to spend time with Jesus.

Jesus says “only one thing is necessary.” The one thing is not defined but clearly finds it’s answer in the actions of Mary. Perhaps Martha wanted to serve Jesus while Mary wanted Jesus himself.

What is the one thing that Mary is doing that Martha is not doing?

Illustration: Whenever I read this story, I always think of the grandmother that has everyone over for dinner, but never actually sits with the family to eat, but rather is busy serving. And we don’t complain because lets face it, there is no one you’d rather be eating their food than grandma’s. But you came to see her and with all of her serving, you haven’t actually gotten to spend any time with her.

When it comes to Jesus, lets just think for a second. One chapter earlier, we saw Jesus feed 5,000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish. Not to be harsh…but does Jesus actually need anyone to serve Him?

Jesus turned water into wine; he healed the sick and lame, and blind. He will soon raise these 2 sisters’ brother Lazarus from the dead.

You’re grandma’s brisket recipe doesn’t impress Him. Your secret pasta sauce recipe? He’s had better.

With one word from him, thousands are fed. What Jesus wants, is our undivided attention.

And while there is work to be done, we must remember that we have been invited into serving Him, but first and foremost, we must remember to seek him with our whole hearts. To spend time sitting at his feet in prayer, Bible study and devotion, must come before we serve.

How often are we more concerned with getting to work that the one who worked for us. Who came and died on the cross.

Let’s stop. Let’s actually follow Jesus’ example.

Luke 5:15–16 ESV

15 But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Luke

John 17:4 ESV

4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

Imagine that, Jesus never ran anywhere. Never had a car. Or an airplane. He never traveling further than a few days journey from the place he was born. He spent a lot of time in prayer. And the totallity of His ministry lasted only 3-5 years. Yet at the end of Jesus’ earthly life and ministry, He was able to say to His father in Heave....I have done everything you sent me here to do.”

Let’s go and do likewise. And if we compare ourselves to anyone, let it be to Jesus.

Reflection: How often do you pause?

We’re going to stop right now....and pray. Invite people up to Pray.