Mary Chose the Necessary Part
Text Passage:
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. (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:
What would you do if Billy Graham showed up knocking on your door? Think of the most prominent person you can. Now they are knocking on your door. Oh, they want to stay for dinner! Not just this person, but, the entourage is with them! The desire to meet the commitment is overwhelming. You want the very best for your distinguished guests. Today, we will be looking at a similar dilemma experienced by Martha and Mary of Bethany. Let’s see how each lady handled the situation and perhaps we can learn a few things this morning!
Preliminaries: THE WRITER: Luke, a Gentile physician, accompanied Paul on his 2nd, 3rd and final missionary journeys.
Central Theme of The Book of Luke: Jesus, the Son of Man
Book Overview: We have in Chapters 9:51-19:27, a theme of rejection towards the Son of Man.
In OUR TEXT CHAPTER we have:
1. Jesus sending the 70: (1-12)
2. Woes to unrepentant cities: (13-16)
3. The return of the 70: (17-20)
4. Jesus praises God: (21-24)
5. A Good Samaritan (25-37)
6. Visiting Martha and Mary (38-42) Text Passage
THE SETTING: Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem where He will be crucified for the sins of the world!
Vs 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.”
Bethany: 2 miles SE of Jerusalem, where Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus resided (John 11).
CENTRAL THOUGHT
Many today find Christ in their knowledge (or service) but having very little room for Jesus in their busy and hectic lives: that is in heart (in worship).
We are not speaking of a superficial relationship; but, one of intimate communion. Jesus is described as the bridegroom and the church as the bride: that’s how intimate!
We will witness that Martha’s time for genuine communion is not hindered by a terrible sin, but by a worthy cause (being busied in preparing food and making a feast for her Lord and guests). What about Mary?
Vs 39- And she [Martha] had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
LETS LOOK AT MARY THIS MORNING
Mary, in our text, is found sitting at Jesus’ feet.
Mary’s Preparations: Mary completed the basics and now wanted to commune with Jesus. Dods adds, “Mary had assisted in the preparations and the reception as the ‘also’ of ver. 39 shows; while Martha’s own words, ‘my sister hath left me to serve alone’ themselves imply that Mary had shared the labours of the entertainment before taking her place at the feet of Jesus” (Dods, 84).
Mary’s posture: One of submission. Bruce sees Mary’s posture as one of a “receptive mind” and “devoted spirit” (Bruce, 35).
Mary’s Persistency: “Mary of Bethany is seen three times in the Gospel record, and on each occasion, she is in the same place: at the feet of Jesus. She sat at His feet and listened to His Word (Luke 10:39), fell at His feet and shared her woe (John 11:32), and came to His feet and poured out her worship (John 12:3).” (Wiersbe).
John 11:32: “Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.”
John 12:3: “Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. (this incident is spoken of in John 11:2 also).
Mary’s Progression: It was one that was outside of the normal acceptable standards of that day and culture
People normally sat in chairs or couches during banquets; but the disciples were known to sit at the feet of their teachers (Paul at the feet of Gamaliel [guh-mey-lee-uhl]).
This was normally reserved for young men so Mary was acting a bit out of the ordinary here.
Mary not only listened but she HEARD the Words of Jesus! How about it?
APPLICATION: What are your Preparations; Postures; Persistency’s; Progressions?
AW Tozer reminds us, “You may be still with arthritis so that you can’t even get on your knees to pray, but you can look up in your heart, for prayer isn’t a matter of getting on your knees. Prayer is the elevation of the heart to God and that is all a man needs to praise, to pray and to worship” (Tozer 2008, 80).
SUMMARIZATION OF MARY
Mary “heard his word”- This is not a simple act of hearing; but a long continued listening to the speech (or talk) of Jesus’ words.
Mary’s primary concern was one of being a disciple of Christ.
In the very presence of Jesus- Mary wants to be saturated!
QUESTION FOR YOU: Do we sit at the feet of Jesus and try to be infatuated with Jesus and His word?
John 6:27- Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed
LETS LOOK AT MARTHA THIS MORNING
Before we look at Martha, let’s note she was not doing a terrible thing here. The problem was Martha was concerned about service more than that of worship! Worship is not a learned behavior it stems from a heart of gratitude and love!
Vs 40- “But Martha was cumbered [Wuest suggests: going about in circles] about much serving [Wuest: over-occupied with the meal], and came to him [Wuest suggests: bursting in and assuming a stance over Jesus], and said, Lord, dost thou not care (She was saying in effect: Lord, you DON’T CARE) that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore [Wuest suggests: speak to her at once] that she help me.”
This word “cumbered” is only used 1 time in the New Testament Greek- “To draw different ways at the same time” (Zodhiates). Here the idea is that the mind is divided and distracted!
Martha’s Record
This particular incident is a contrast from the Martha in John 11:22- “but I know that even now (3 days after Lazarus’ death) whatsoever thou shalt ask of God, God will give it to thee.”
Care and duty is good but to become overly distracted (or cumbered) by it is sin!
Martha’s Reaction
One of Irreverence and Interruption: Martha came to Christ- The word came to means to abruptly interrupt.
One of Indictment: Martha is “troubled” (an inward anxiety expressed in an outward agitation) with Mary and Jesus! Is it unimaginable that Martha is blaming Jesus for her self-generated irritableness; YET, are we not guilty of the same! LET’S LOOK AT WHO OUR SAVIOR IS!
Psalms 95:4-6: “In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. (5) The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. (6) O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.
Colossians 1:15-17: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (16) For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (17) And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
One of Irrationality: Martha wants Jesus to intercede in an almost reproachful manner (dost thou not care). Bid her (meaning to harshly command her) to help me. Notice: Martha’s attitude is one of condemn-ation vice commend-ation!
For arguments sake: What if Martha had got her way and Mary was made to labor in the kitchen. Would not Mary have missed the life transforming words of Jesus?
POINT: We need to stop looking at the decisions of others and concentrate on making some wiser decisions ourselves!
JESUS’ TAKE
Vs 41- “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things”
One of Closeness: Here we have the response of Jesus “Martha, Martha”- This expresses great intimacy and friendship towards Martha (Jesus is moved by Martha’s current situation).
One of Compassion: Jesus felt sorry for Martha’s misguided irritability. Could not Jesus had really blasted Martha here with “Look, I’m God, who do you think you are speaking to missy? No Jesus had compassion- What a supreme example for you and me as to how we should deal with our sisters and brothers in Christ.
One of Concern: Thou art careful and troubled about many things- Mary was hearing the word from the mouth of Jesus and sitting at His feet (a very necessary thing) while Martha was encumbered with many unnecessary (or of lesser value) things!
This is a great reminder to us that God Word tells us to be not entangled with the cares of this life...
2 Timothy 2:4- “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
Mark 4:19- “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Inordinate care or trouble about many things in this world is a common fault among Christ’s believers today!
JESUS CONTINUES,
Vs 42- “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
APPLICATION:
“but one thing is needful”- Only one food dish is necessary =The hearing of Jesus’ words takes precedence here. Forget the delicacies of this super supper. I have, I am the Bread of Life (John 6:33, 35, 48, 51) that sustains for eternity! Just keep the worldly pomp to a minimum- just enough to sustain physical appetites (life)
“Mary hath chosen the good part”- (or portion) Christ is the sum and substance of external life and salvation. WORSHIP, Then SERVICE! Where are you this morning?
WORSHIPING LEADS TO WORKING while WORKING DOES NOT NECESSARILY LEAD TO WORSHIP. Tozer add, “God wants worshipers before workers; indeed the only acceptable workers are those who have learned the lost art of worship” (Tozer).
Jesus reminds us: Mary’s part is that “which shall not be taken away from her”- While Martha was bustling about to make earthly provisions (are we doing this today); Mary hungered for Jesus Himself (the portion which endures forever)!
Matt 6:33- “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
MY FRIENDS, Jesus is admonishing us today: To strive for our eternal well being; don’t be over burdened with temporal devices that ensnare your soul and takes away the one important dish!
“The Lord’s priorities are not the same as ours. Jesus isn’t as concerned about our lace tablecloths and clean kitchens as we are. He’s concerned with the state of our heart. He’s more interested in the time we spend at his feet, reflecting on his words and resting in his presence” (Lahaye & Jenkins, July 18).
CONCLUSION
Service is not a bad thing; but what is the attitude behind the service (Martha)
Worship in Heart should precede hands of service. To everything there is a season. Wrong priorities are missed opportunities
Where are you today? Are you encumbered about with cumbersome service? OR Are you sitting at the feet of Jesus with a heart of worship?
Are we listening intently to Jesus’ Word (the Bible)? Or are other services causing us to be pulled in two different directions?
WON’T YOU: Chose the good part in your life today, live for Christ and sit at His feet and commune!
Though in Martha’s case she had a personal relationship with Jesus but it was amiss. BUT, MAYBE someone today is relying on these good works as a means of pleasing God for eternity in HEAVEN. This is not Bible! No, these WORKS only please God when the RELATIONSHIP is right. Today you need a transformation from on high: a NEW creation in CHRIST! Neither is there any salvation in ANY other. Jesus, is the WAY, TRUTH and LIFE! Won’t you accept Him this morning as your PERSONAL SAVIOR?
Bibliography:
Bruce, Alexander Balmain. The Expositors Greek Testament I: The Synoptic Gospels. New York: Hodder and Stoughton, n.d., Accessed on Preceptaustin Org. http://archive.org/stream/expositorsgreekt01nico#page/545/mode/1up (Pg, 545). October 26, 2012.
Dods, Marcus.ed. Exposition of the Bible, Vol. 5 St. Luke-Galatians. Chapter XX, The Two Sisters: Luke x. 38-42. Hartford: S.S. Scranton, 1910. http://archive.org/stream/expositionofbibl05dods#page/84/mode/1up, Accessed October 16, 2012.
Lahaye, Tim, Jerry B. Jenkins and Frank M. Martin ed., Embracing Eternity, Living Each Day With a Heart Toward Heaven: Martha and Me, Luke 10:42- July 18. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2004.
Tozer, A.W. I Talk Back to the Devil; The Fighting Fervor of the Victorious Christian. Cape Hill PA: WingSpread, 2008.
––––––, Literature Ministries International; http://www.litmin.org/tozer.php, Tozer Daily Devotional; February 25, 2009.
Zodhiates, Spiros (ed). The Complete Word Study Dictionary, Cumbered. Strong’s #G4049 (Old and New Testaments). Chattanooga: AMG, 1993. E-Sword, Version 10.-0.5.
