Anxious and Troubled

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Few insights into this family

Martha, Mary, Lazarus

Martha appears to be the oldest (named first)

No indication that she was married

On another occasion John tells us that this Mary (there are about 5-6 different Mary’s in NT) anointed Jesus feet

John 11:2 ESV

It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.

Matthew 26:10 ESV

But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.

Prior to this Jesus sent out the 70 to prepare for his coming

Special relationship with this family

TALE OF TWO SISTERS

Martha appears to be a keeper of the House.

Her focus is planning, preparation, organization, order and an attention to detail. (commercial example)

She’s a doer. Not content to just stay still. There’s a need to be doing something productive.

Mary is the social person, greeter, welcomer. taking the time to make sure everyone feels at home.

A people person

Loves to interact with people - can work a run

Both are good traits to have. Both are necessary.

Question 1: What would you do if Jesus was coming to your house for dinner?

Luke 10:40 ESV

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.”

We can all agree that Serving the Lord is a wonderful thing and a necessary thing

WE SHOULD NEVER FIND OURSELVES COMPLAINING ABOUT OUR SERVICE TO JESUS.

1 Peter 5:2 ESV

shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly;

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I should never feel pressure serving the Lord

“Oh well I got to do it” kind of an attitude

Don’t draw attention to your work - Jesus said you’ve done what you suppose to do.

Luke 17:9–10 ESV

Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

Don’t complain about serving the Lord

I should always look at serving the Lord as a great joy, a delight and a blessing, and an opportunity without complaining.

This is Martha Mistake

This takes away from serving the Lord

Jesus defense of Mary

Luke 10:41 ESV

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

Jesus was tender in His response

You are troubled about many things

Question 2: What has supremacy in our life? – What are your priorities?

Troubled about the little things and robbing yourself of the big thing that will give you stillness and Solitude.

Luke 10:42 ESV

but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”