Desparate Housewinves Series

Series: For Better or For Worse Pt. 4

"Desperate Housewives"

Luke 10:38-42

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

INTRODUCTION: You might be wondering why I chose this title today and at first glance I'll have to admit it does seem a bit unusual but there is a "method to my madness," that I trust you will see when I get to the end of the message.

I. THE DESPARATION OF MARTHA

a. The distraction

The word "...cumbered..." in verse 40 is an interested translation. It means "to draw off" and suggests that Martha was drawn away from where Jesus was teaching and preaching by thoughts of the things that needed to be done to get a meal ready for the guests. It means to be distracted! I believe that it is a perfect word to describe the situation that most women find themselves in today. Jesus hits the nail on the head when He says that Martha is careful and troubled "...about many things." I am sure that most of the women in this sanctuary today can relate to Martha's circumstances. To be quite honest most of us guys have no idea about how many things you ladies have to "juggle" each day. The problem with this juggling act is that you can only handle so many things at one time no matter how organized you are or how good a multi-tasker you are, eventually you will drop something either intentionally or un-intentionally. Now let me ask you a question? How many of you feel like you have more than you can handle? Do you feel like you are forced to let some things slide while at other times things just get out of control? Probably most of you feel that way more than we would care to admit. All this stress brings us to the next issue for Martha.

b. The disquiet

The word Jesus uses to describe Martha's state of mind is used quite often in the NT. As a matter of fact the Lord uses it in His teaching and preaching. In verse 41 He says "...Martha, thou art careful..."anxious (merimnāis). An old verb for worry and anxiety from merizō (meris, part) to be divided, distracted. Jesus had warned against this in the Sermon on the Mount (Mat_6:25, Mat_6:28, Mat_6:31, Mat_6:34. See also Luk_12:11, Luk_12:22, Luk_12:26). Gill

Do you feel guilty when you worry? Make no mistake worry is a serious matter. Jesus had a great deal to say about it. Let's read a few verses:

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

That brings us to the next word Jesus uses:

c. The disturbance

And "...troubled..." (kai thorubazēi). From thorubazomai, a verb found nowhere else so far. Many MSS. here have the usual form turbazēi, from turbazō. Apparently from thorubos, a common enough word for tumult. Martha had both inward anxiety and outward agitation. Gill

Not only is Martha distracted and disquieted, she is also disturbed! Her anxiety leads to agitation. Now let me tell you something; if you don't already know this you need to learn this; if you are disturbed you will created a disturbance in your home, on the job, in your relationships etc! How many of have seen the sign that say, "If mama ain't happen, nobody is happy!" I can tell you that is not just true of mama. It's that way for all of us. When we are distracted, disquieted and disturbed it will boil over and something negative is going to happen.