How To Have A "mary" Christmas

How To Have A “Mary” Christmas

Text: Luke 10:38-42 38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 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: A certain woman, named Martha, received him into her house, and made him welcome, for, probably, she was a widow, and was the housekeeper with whom her brother Lazarus and sister Mary lodged. Though it was expensive to entertain Christ for he did not come alone, but brought his disciples with him, yet she would not regard the cost of it. Though at this time it was grown dangerous to entertain him especially so near Jerusalem, yet she cared not what hazard she ran for his name's sake. Though there were many that rejected him, and would not entertain him, yet there was one that would bid him welcome. And that was something commendable, which must not be overlooked.

(A.) She had a commendable respect to our Lord Jesus; for we have reason to think it was not for ostentation, but purely to testify her good-will to him, that she made this entertainment.

(B.) She had a commendable care of her household affairs. It appears, from the respect shown to this family among the Jews (John 11:19), that they were persons of some quality and distinction; and yet Martha herself did not think it a disparagement to her to lay her hand even to the service of the family, when there was occasion for it.

Note, It is the duty of those who have the charge of families to look well to the ways of their household.

But, Martha had the chance to host God in her home. She had a unique opportunity create a special memory that she could have cherished in her heart for the rest of her days. Martha is slicing and dicing, she is cooking and cleaning. She is consumed by all the things she is doing and overwhelmed by all the things she still needs to do. She turns to ask Mary a question and she realizes that she is all alone in the kitchen. Looking through the doorway she can see her sister sitting there in the living with everyone else, while she worked alone in the kitchen

And even though she is in a house full of people who she loves and who love her she suddenly feels very alone. Martha is feeling abandoned and taken advantage of and this has caused their relationship to be strained. This should have been a happy moment, but in the end it became a day of worry and anxiety.

But she just feels angry. And you can hear it in her words. “…my sister has left me…” (Luke 10: 40)

Martha is generally pictured as being too bothered about serving to hear Jesus Christ.

1. She was distracted and drawn many different ways and overcharged with care

(Luke 10:42; Luke 21:34)

2. She was always anxious and agitated (Matthew 6:25)

3. She was a fix it person and didn’t want to let things sit till later.

4. However he was not rebuked by Jesus over asking for help from Mary, but He simply told her that Mary had chosen the good part

Where you aware that stress also affects our vision. It prevents us from seeing anything other than ourselves and our own situation. To some degree we all know what she is feeling. There have been times when we have all felt as if we are the only ones doing all the work, and that no one seemed to notice our work and sacrifice. We end up feeling unappreciated and alone.

I can see Mary and the rest of the disciples are sitting around the Lord feasting on his word. The Martha comes marching in with a ladle in he hand. Her apron is filthy, her hair is a mess.

“Tell my sister to get up and come help me!”

The room goes silent…

Andrew turns to John and whispers…”Awkward…”

Spiritually she can’t see what Mary is really doing. So she asked…

“Lord, don’t you care…?” (Luke 10:40)

This sounds like a question, but it really is more of an accusation.

The worry of the moment has not only driven a wedge between her and Mary, but it has even caused her to question the Lord’s care for her.