Martha, Martha

Mary of Bethany

“Let your house be a meeting place for the Rabbis, and cover yourself with the dust of their feet, and drink in their words thirstily.” – Yose ben Yoezer 2nd Century BCE

Luke 10:38–42 NIV

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Imagine walking the 20km journy from Jericho to Bethany...

Observations about the text

· It is in a place of significance within scripture

· Martha is in fact the main character

· Martha’s name is used four times, Mary two times

· Martha speaks and is spoken to, neither happen with Mary

Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha

IF MARTHA IS THE MAIN CHARACTER WHAT DO WE NEED TO LEARN?

What it takes to be a Mary of Bethany

· Desire to be seen by Jesus

· Not ashamed about extravagant love for Jesus

· We are to come to his feet

· Our actions speak loudly

· Being forgiven by Jesus allows us to devote our love to Jesus

TO BE A MARY OF BETHANY WE NEED TO BE UNOFFENDABLE

“Part of Martha’s problem was that she worried too much about what others were doing. In asking Jesus to enter into her complaint, she assumed that her evaluation of Mary’s choice of priorities was right.” Darrell L. Brock

WE NEED TO SURRENDER THESE VERSIONS OF EVENTS TO JESUS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO GET HIM TO VALIDATE OUR ASSERTIONS

Hebrews 12

Hebrews 12:15 ESV

See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;

IF YOU CHOOSE TO BE A MARY, KNOW THERE WILL BE THINGS THAT TRY TO STEAL YOUR TIME AT JESUS FEET

TO BE A PERSON WHO SITS AT JESUS FEET, HE HAS TO BECOME MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOU BEING NEEDED

Do you find yourself worried and upset about many things?

- Are you offended?

- Are you sitting at Jesus feet?

- Are you speaking more than listening?

- Are you distracted?

One thing is needed...