Choosing what is Better
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading
Scripture Reading
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Introduction
Introduction
Come to a brief account… a few verses.
Important practical lessons… need to consider issues of our hearts.
Recall the context. 2 points to note.
Firstly, Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem
Secondly, just preached the parable of the good Samaritan.
Love for neighbour is important.
But here… emphasis on love for God - demonstrated through hearing the Word spoken.
1. A Scene of Serenity (vv.38-39)
1. A Scene of Serenity (vv.38-39)
1.1. Martha Eager to Serve (v.38)
1.1. Martha Eager to Serve (v.38)
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way,”
Recall the context of Luke, as he develops the Gospel narrative
Christ has set his face towards Jerusalem.
He is traveling a journey towards Jerusalem.
Not necessarily exactly chronological... but certainly the idea in the mind of the reader is always Jerusalem that lies ahead.
That fact will (at least in some measure) come into play in terms of the discussions that unfold.
he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
Jesus comes to a particular (unnamed) village...
Remember that the disciples were going into villages, asking to stay in homes.
Jesus had previously been rejected by the Samaritans.
He now comes to this particular village where he is welcomed.
Notice that a woman named Martha (probably a single woman??) opens her home to him.
Who was Martha?
Lived in Bethany (very close to Jerusalem)
She had a sister named Mary (will see shortly)
They both had a brother named Lazarus
She was a person whose faith is commendable.
John 11 - Lazarus
20 Martha therefore, when she heard that Jesus was coming, went to meet Him, but Mary stayed at the house.
24 Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.”
27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.”
It is clear that Martha was a woman of great faith.
She beleived in Christ, understood who He was.
Hospitality
One of the evidences that Martha was a woman of faith was the fact that she hosted Jesus.
Consider all the good things that were said about those who would show hospitality...
5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
6 “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
Martha in this case was an example of showing hospitality
Thus far, we would commend Martha for her actions.
Certainly Christ would have commended her, and he appreciated the fact that she was showing this hospitality.
Martha was right to give this kind of welcome because hospitality is one of the noble virtues of godliness. “Seek to show hospitality” (Rom. 12:13), the Scripture says. “Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:9–10). Martha used her gift of hospitality to serve others, and when she had the opportunity to do this work for Jesus, she wanted to shine. [Ryken, P. G. (2009)]
Thus far - a wonderful picture of a woman of faith that welcomes Jesus into her home.
1.2. Mary Eager to Learn (v.39)
1.2. Mary Eager to Learn (v.39)
Luke 10:39
39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
“She had a sister called Mary, “
Here enters another person into the equation.
From what we've already considered from John 11 - Mary was the quieter of the two... less busy.
That's not a commendation nor criticism... it's simply appears that her character was more laid back.
With that said, one thing does stand out about Mary... she was found in the presence of Christ.
28 When she had said this, she went away and called Mary her sister, saying secretly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”
29 And when she heard it, she got up quickly and was coming to Him.
32 Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.
3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
The accounts are different… not the same. But we find that Mary had a deep appreciation of Jesus... in both accounts of her, she is found in the presence of Jesus.
“who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.”
So it is in this case.
Two things concerning Mary's actions are seen.
Sitting at His feet
A posture of humility
She was expectantly at the feet of JEsus
If Jesus was reclining at the table eating, then she was in essence seated behind him.
Listening to what He said
This is the very important observation
She was intently listening to the words flowing out of the teacher's mouth.
Keep in mind - Martha (and no doubt Mary) believed that Jesus was the Christ.
They were believers.
But while Martha is busy about the house, Mary wants to soak up the teaching of Jesus.
24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.
Women Theologians....
Note the context of the day - women were not the theologians of the day!!!
It was expected that men, rather than women, would be those being educated in the things of God.
Immediately we find that Mary is concerned to know about God and Christ....
This will most likely play into some of Martha's frustration...
Thus far, all is well in the house...
2. An Outburst of Irritability (v.40)
2. An Outburst of Irritability (v.40)
40 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!”
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.
As Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, the Scriptures teach us that Martha was distracted.
She was certainly busy... this seems to be the nature of Martha (as we can discern.
We must note that as Luke records this (the event is unique to him) he calls what she is busy with a distraction
What she was distracted with was not in itself wrong.
In fact, it would have been a necessary part of hospitality.
We must be cautious that we don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Part of the hospitality that Jesus said the disciples were to enjoy on their missionary journeys was that of being fed what the hosts provided.
And the hosts were required to provide - recall that Jesus had sent the disciples out with nothing... he had told them to not take anything with them.
They would have been dependent on the host making food, preparing the food, and then serving the food.
But again, even in light of that, Luke calls her "distracted" by these things.
The primary meaning of the Greek verb for distraction (perispaō) is to be dragged away. This implies that Martha was doing or wanting to do one thing, but ended up getting pulled away from it. [Ryken, P. G. (2009)]
Note: all the prep literally translated "much service..." - "polys diakonia"
Application...
So often we can become distracted with things in life... even relating to ministry
What starts off as a noble desire to serve, turns into something that distracts us.
As a pastor... often thought - all you do is spend time in the word...
But so quickly you can go through the motions... do what you do because you must.
You lose your vital relationship with God and with Christ.
Every one of us is prone to this...
If we're not careful, we wil become extremely distracted.. our focus will be lost.
Approches Jesus
Self-pity and Resentment...
What is the consequence of Martha's work?
Firstly, self-pity...
She sees how much work she's doing. \
She has this standard that she wants to meet. She has expectations in terms of how things are to look, what kind of food needs to be prepared, how soon it needs to be ready, how the table needs to look... but she's set up these expectations, that she honestly believes in her heart are reasonable and suitable... but when she sees this mountain of work, and her own inability to meet the standard, self-pity begins to set in.
She starts to feel sorry for herself in the moment.
This eventually leads to resentment.
The fact that she cannot get her expectations met, leads to resentment at those she deems ought to be serving alongside her.
At this point she approaches Jesus to bring a complaint.
We must consider that Martha is clearly overwhelmed by all that she wants to get done in order to serve Jesus
She has natural earthly cares...
Perhaps the ladies in our midst would identify with her... particularly mothers.
A clean house is important.
Good food is important.
Treating your guests well is important.
Keep in mind that this wasn't merely Jesus with them - it was ALL the disciples!!
Here was a large group of people to provide for, to feed, think about...
This is where Martha is.
Being overwhelmed with all that needs to be done, and then knowing that her own sister is just sitting there with Jesus - not doing anything... I think we can understand her frustration...
All this work, and Mary just sits there … doing nothing! Martha explodes with anger. She is exasperated. She feels that she has good reason to be thoroughly annoyed. In her outburst she finds fault not only with Mary but also with Jesus for allowing Mary to just sit there … idly. (Hendriksen)
"Don't you care"
First - she says... "Lord, don't you care..."
Martha is immediately doubting the care of Christ.
She equates her own struggle, and Christ's silence on the matter, as a lack of care on His part.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
The word literally means, "does it not concern you.."
Are you not troubled by my predicament... by this sister of mine...
My sister has left me to do work...
The driving force behind her complaint is self-pity, derived from comparing herself with others.
She compares her task with her sister's inactivity.
Tell her to help me!”
Notice that Martha seeks to appeal to Jesus based on her own idea of what is happening.
She believes that she has evaluated the situation perfectly in her own eyes.
She now seeks to use the authority of Christ to do "her will."
This is so often how we act...
We believe that we know the best course of action.
We believe that our assessment of the situation and circumstances is perfect
There's just no question - the only option is for God / Christ to act in accordance with how we deem fit. After all... there is no other right way about things.
3. The Voice of Authority (vv.41-42)
3. The Voice of Authority (vv.41-42)
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
Martha, Martha, the Lord answered...
The repitition of the name was not an expression of exasperation!
It was done due to familiarity, and probably affection
Christ was answering in a kind and affectionate manner, out of concern and care for Martha
You are worried and upset...
Two separate things plague Martha's present condition
She is worried....
Concerned that things will not get done...
Concerned with the organising and arrangements...
Concerned that the food will not be prepared on time / sufficiently / well enough.
Again, all legitimate concerns on one hand, that we're thankful are thought about... usually by the ladies, as God has gifted them.
But she's also upset..
She's upset that she's not being helped.
She's upset that her sister Mary is sitting down relaxing, while she has to do all the work and preparations.
About many things...
No doubt this had reference to the preparations.
It had reference to everything that needed to be arranged and organised in order to host Jesus well - which was plenty of work.
But clearly Christ seeks to convey to Martha that the extent of her worry in this instance is out of place. It's unnecessary
It was out of love for Martha that Jesus gently rebuked her. He did this by identifying the sin in Martha’s heart; he exposed her underlying idolatry. The Bible tells us not to be anxious about anything (Phil. 4:6), but Martha was anxious about almost everything. She had a to-do list as long as her arm. She did not know how to let some things go, and she did not know how to stop worrying about all the things she could not get done, or that she could not get done according to the unreasonable standards of her own perfection. [Ryken, P. G. (2009).]
42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
but only one thing is needed.
It's striking that Jesus brings his instruction to Martha in this way...
Only one thing is needed.
Martha had a whole list of things she thought were necessary; Jesus said there was only one. [Ryken, P. G. (2009).]
What is that one thing? Many suggestions have been given
The context tells us that which was important...
Time with Christ, hearing what He has to say
Note the specific context - Christ on the way to the cross...
Time was short for him... listening was urgent.
But is that not similarly to be applied to our lives?
How often does not the new testament state for believers that they must urgently be readying themselves for the return of Christ?
29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
This is also applicable to us in our day!!
11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
Mary has chosen what is better,
Here was a matter of a choice that needed to be made
Martha made the decision to pour her energy into her acts of service in terms of showing hospitality
and it will not be taken away from her.”
Implications
Martha must now learn to give the Lord and his word priority even over loving service [Liefeld, W. L. (1984).]
Application / Conclusion
Application / Conclusion
A.1. Consider yourself
A.1. Consider yourself
Don’t worry so much about other people, and what they’re doing. Think about your own circumstances, and what you’re doing. Is it best?
Learn from others. Look at what they do, and ask if there is something that you can learn from them.
A.2. Make Time for Learning
A.2. Make Time for Learning
There are times when service should be suspended in order for fellowship with Christ to be maintained.
In the context of ministry...
“Martha’s self-appointed responsibilities distracted her from what mattered most. So it is with us. The self-imposed necessities of ministry smother us, and serving becomes drudgery.” [Ryken, P. G. (2009).]
We must ask ourselves - are we spending time learning from Jesus.
Working in the world to provide an income for your family - Good thing...
But you need time to sit quietly and learn from Christ.
And sometimes, the work of the world, the work of home-keeping, the work of child-rearing, the work of doing the everyday things of life - they need to stop.
Our work will never end in life!!! - We must place the limits on ourselves.
We need to appoint the necessary times… and stick to them.
Easy way to honour principle.... worship Christ on a Sunday with the people of God
A.3. Evaluate your heart motives
A.3. Evaluate your heart motives
We see our own perspectives very clearly.
It’s easy to criticise others… especially when we think those others are doing us in.
But we need to be cautious of this.
Martha’s rebuke shows that behind all our self-pity and resentment are the worries of an anxious heart. Knowing this helps us know how to preach ourselves the gospel. When we find that we are feeling sorry for ourselves because we have suffered a setback, or that we are snapping at people over little things, we need to ask ourselves what we are really worried about. Then we need to recall the promises of God that speak to our anxieties. [Ryken, P. G. (2009).]