A Quiet Confidence

The text that was just dramatized for us could very easily be divided into 3 or 4 distinct sermons. The 4 ideas in these paragraphs are also found in the other 3 gospels. But only Luke totally avoids chronological order and presents these thoughts in this order.

This prompted me to ask, “What do Jesus at Martha’s house, the Lord’s Prayer, the Persistent Neighbor, and the Giving Father have in common?”

You may have heard someone say, “The thing that makes Christianity different from all other religions is that at the core Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship.”

That is what ties these 4 stories into 1 unit. Mary’s relationshipis honored above Martha’s activity. The Lord’s Prayer happens in the context of a Father/child relationship. The friend on a journey, the friend offering hospitality, and the friend lending 3 loaves all have relationships. And finally, the giving Father and the asking son both are in a relationship.

Transition: As we dive into these verses, ask yourself, “What type of relationship does God wish to have with me? First at the end of chapter 10 we see…

An Example of Relational Presence (vv.38-42)

Mary at Jesus’ Feet (vv.38-39)

1. In a culture where women and children were often busy in the other room, or at most, listening from the edges of the room, here we find Mary in the position of a valued learner.

2. Much is said about the cultural differences between societies. Even today in many cultures, women are not deemed worthy of the time and effort of education. Those who wish to claim that the Bible is some misogynistic relic from antiquity, do not understand texts like this one the same way that I do.

3. Mary is not only tolerated, she is acclaimed for her desire to learn from this close position of respect. Text

Martha doing chores (vv.40-41)

1. If you are familiar with the 5 Love Languages, it appears to me that Martha’s preferred language is acts of service. One of the challenges of the Love languages is that we presume everyone understands and values our language.

2. I’ve taken classes in 6 different languages (7 if you count Basic computer programming, or 8 if you include musical notation). It doesn’t matter how proficient I am in any of those languages if you’re communicating in Mandarin, Arabic or Vietnamese.

3. Martha expressed her value by serving and she thought everybody who values another should do it the same way. While Jesus and Mary were expressing value by sharing quality time.

4. There is nothing at all wrong with hospitality. Jesus said that “one item” would be adequate. But the problem arose when Martha allowed herself to become anxious and troubled about many things.

If you come to our house for dinner and baked potatoes are being served you can expect to find butter, salt and pepper on the table. On good days there may even be a tub of sour cream. But if Ann follows Martha’s example she would be chopping and browning bacon bits, grating some cheddar cheese, chopping some chives or green onions, and maybe even warming up some chili.

Application

1. God has given us a wonderful, relational love letter in the form of the Bible. And He invites us to commune with Him over His Word and to return our thoughts.

2. Some of us, like Martha, try to complicate it. How crazy would it be if you neglected reading the Bible unless you had your journal, the Our Daily Bread, and highlighters in 4 different colors.

3. Study aids can be helpful, but they NEVER replace the simple truth that God wants to talk with us through His Word.

Transition: Not only did Jesus enjoy a relational connection with Mary, but the disciples also observed a connection between Jesus and His Heavenly Father. They asked for…

A Model of Relational Prayer (vv.1-4)

This is not a “How to” manual

1. The disciples did not ask “teach us what to pray”, “teach us how to pray”, they asked “teach us to pray”.

· Teach us to want to commune with the Father the way that you are so eager to talk with Him.

· Just as Mary wanted to be with Jesus more than she wanted to impress Him, the Disciples want the relationship that Jesus and the Father had that was so different from the religious recitations called prayers in the Temple.

2. The #1 way to increase your prayer desire is to look at the first word of Jesus’ example and consider your audience.

Before television networks decided that it is politically incorrect to show the real situations that police face, (because the reality is so much different than the narrative they want us to believe), Ann used to really enjoy Cops and Live PD. It amazed me to see how many times a deputy or patrolman had to remind a citizen, “I’m not ‘dude’ and I’m not your bro’.” In a small community like ours many of you have had personal friends or family as coaches or teachers. Someone was telling me this week of a situation like this where in the classroom it was always “Mrs.” but after school it became “grandma”.

· I’m convinced that what shaped the request in v.1 is that the disciples had observed the relationship between the Son and the Father.

· When the Rabbis, Scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees prayed, it was directed to Adonai (Master). When Jesus taught on prayer it was Father. Only once did Jesus use Abba (Daddy) in prayer; that was when He prayed in the Garden that the cup of suffering may pass from Him.

Transition: When we begin to see God as our generous, wise, and loving Father, it shapes the things we ask for:

God’s Purpose is greater than Man’s pleasure

1. The praise of God - hallowed (2b)

· He desires that we rightly honor Him, because, just as we found when we studied the 10 commandments, every other interaction flows out of that proper connection.

· This is not a description, it is a command/request that God would act in such a way that all would recognize His uniqueness.

2. The authority of God – kingdom (2c)

· God’s Will never goes out of style.

So many of our wants and desires are shaped by the people around us. Brown shoes with a blue or grey pants would have been outrageous 10 years ago. Tie and lapels get wider and narrower; hemlines go up and down; Car designs move from luxury to sporty; Big estates on sprawling acreage are giving way to tiny houses; Careers with lots of benefits are losing ground to recruiters who offer flexibility of schedule.

· Loving God and loving others never loses its relevance.

· Today we are as divided as ever. 1 group says the main purpose of the church today is to help people find forgiveness of sins so they can avoid hell. Another group sees that forgiven people seek to correct injustice. Churches are splitting and congregations are leaving denominations because people think this has to be one way or the other. But what if Jesus teaches that forgiveness of sins AND God’s kingdom of justice are BOTH realities that we are to pursue?

3. The provision of God – daily bread (3)

· There is something noble about daily provisions. But I am first to admit I fail in this mindset.

I look for the mega-pack because I think the price per ounce is less. But I choose to ignore the cost of larger freezers, multiple refrigerators, or extra size in the pantry to accommodate this lifestyle. Many of you remember daily gathering the 1 egg that each hen may lay; I don’t think I’ve ever purchased less than a dozen. Many of you recall the daily milk route; I’m frequently checking the use by date.

· In another place Jesus challenged the “bigger barns” mindset, and here He commands daily dependence.

4. The Forgiveness of God (4a)

· This is an admission that a mercy economy is better than a justice standard.

A few weeks back, Ann and I visited a restaurant in a nearby town. We asked about the special and were told “it is a 3-piece chicken with mashed potatoes.” It sounded good and reasonable, so we ordered 2. When the plates came out one had 2 smaller pieces and the other had 1 larger and 2 medium-sized pieces. I asked, isn’t this supposed to be 3 pieces? And was told, “the chef only put on 2. Now, we traded some pieces, were both satisfied and took home some leftovers, so my concern was not so much the amount of food, but the standard of fairness. Compare that to another restaurant in another nearby town. Our first time there we each ordered off the menu, but when the plates came it had more than what was described on the menu. I commented that it builds good will during a Grand Opening to exceed expectations. I was told, “We always give more than the description, that is just the minimum you can expect on the plate.” Which of the two restaurants do you think I am more likely to recommend?

· V.4 is not a bargain where we ask for something because we deserve it. It is a confession that we prefer mercy because we realize the value of being merciful.

5. The Protection of God – lead us (4c)

· Some commentators point out that the prayer for His kingdom to come is a look into the future when everything is finally set right.

· But notice the present tense of daily bread and forgiving sin. This reminds us that God is not only looking forward to after death, but Jesus tells them to ask for guidance for each decision we make right here and right now.

Application

1. I think the end of v. 4 is not only an admission that I sometimes make bad, wrong or sinful decisions; but is also a hope that I will not get into situations where sinful choices are likely to happen.

2. If being around certain people is likely to put you into a temptation situation, then Jesus is saying that we should desire not to be in that situation.

3. If gossip is your temptation, then being at the coffee shop or beauty shop may not be wise.

4. If bad language is your temptation, then getting in and out of the locker room as quick as possible is a good idea.

5. If abusing your credit or debit card is a struggle, perhaps you need to delete the Amazon app.

6. I found myself becoming critical and had to delete some social media apps from my phone.

7. The requests of vv.2-4 are not just words we say, they are priorities we pursue because they build our relationship with God.

Transition: Lastly, for the Marthas among us, or the people who don’t always use the right words Jesus provides…

A Parable on Relational Persistence (vv.5-13)

Little concern for propriety (vv.5-8)

I don’t mean to brag, but I have had the privilege of studying at some of the top theological institutions in the world, and even I run across words in my Bible that I have no idea what the translators are trying to communicate.

1. V.8 includes one of those words—impudence.

· Importunity (KJV)

· Persistence (NASB)

· Shameless audacity (NIV)

· Shameless boldness (CSB)

· Shameless persistence (NLT)

2. None of these 6 English Translations agreed, but shameless was in 3 and persistence was in 2, so I felt like I was getting close when I went to my Greek resource and found: lack of sensitivity to what is proper, carelessness about the good opinion of others[i]

3. Even though you don’t use right words, and may even cross the good-manners line into rudeness, still because you are neighbors, out of goodwill the neighbor will help you out.

4. Being a bother may be a strategy for neighbors, but the goodness of God flows out of relationship.

5. Notice the shift from friend in v.5 to son in v.11. from trying to maintain the peace in the neighborhood, the passage complains with a reminder of how God’s giving is shaped by His love and goodness.

Illustration

I can almost hear the neighbor in vv.5-9 getting out of bed and stumbling to the kitchen mumbling something under his breath.

David Crowder has recently released a song that takes a phrase that is usually used in vain as an expression of being exasperated. And breaks it down as a testimony of praise. I’ve seen some boneheaded moves that prompt other people to begin a prayer. They start, “Good God Almighty!” then the “prayer” just seems to end there as if there are no words to describe what has just been witnessed. It seems like Crowder takes a phrase that the neighbor may have mumbled in the darkness, and interprets it in light of vv.11-13. Crowder’s song uses a call and response to ask, Tell me is He good? (He's good) Tell me is He God? (He's God) He is good God Almighty!

Conclusion:

If you find yourself like Martha, Jesus says we need to work less and worship more. Our communion with Him through Bible reading and prayer is more important than the things we do to try to impress Him. Even if others don’t respect you, Jesus invites you to come close.

If you find yourself like the disciples, lacking in your desire for God, just imagine a conversation with God the best you know how, and ask him to make His desires, your desires one day at a time and one step at a time.

If you find yourself awkward and not having the right words to adequately express what you need, remember that He is a good Father to yearns to give good gifts to His children.

[i] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature(Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 63.