In today’s culture, we hear the term Karen, used to describe white women who perceive to be entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary. Karen is a common stereotype associated with white women who won't hesitate to use their "privilege" at the expense of others.
As I was praying asking the Lord for this week’s Bible Study, it came in my spirit, “Are you a Martha?” After saying in my spirit, “Are You A Martha?” The Lord began impressing upon me how there are many Martha’s in the Church today, and fewer Mary’s.
What Is a Martha?
Luke 10:38-42
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 few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Martha opened her home to Jesus. To open your home to someone means the same thing today as it did then. It is receiving someone into your personal space, your personal life, with endearment. Martha received Jesus into her home, her personal space, her personal life with endearment.
However, it says Martha was distracted or cumbered by all the preparation that had to be made. The Greek word for distracted or the KJV says “troubled” is pe??sp?? perispaó; meaning, to be driven about mentally about a thing or with cares.
The phrase “all the preparations” or as the KJV puts it, “much serving” is the Greek word d?a????a, a?, ? diakonia; which means, service, ministry done with a willing attitude.
Basically, it tells us that Martha was driven about mentally doing service, ministry willing for Jesus and His disciples. Please don’t miss that!
Now, Martha’s sister Mary did nothing but sit at Jesus feet, and Martha was bothered by it. Actually, she was a little angry about it, and even implied that Jesus should be bothered as well, vs. 40b“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” The phrase “don’t care” is the Greek word µ??e? meló; which not only implies concern but anxiety, tension and apprehension. So, Martha was basically saying, that Jesus should have felt the same way she did about her sister not helping her. Martha assumed that Jesus should be concerned that Mary was not engaged in the distraction of ministering to Jesus and His disciples, but simply sat at Jesus feet listening to what He had to say.
Throughout history, nations and cultures, setting at someone’s feet always represents the humble posture of disciples, apprentice, learners, learning from the teacher. Paul tells us that he sat at the feet of the wise Pharisee Gamliel.
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day” (Acts 22:3)
So, Mary seating at Jesus' feet, represents her assuming a humble poster of "a disciple"; listening attentively, learning the Lord’s doctrine and His instructions given to those who want to follow Him. However, Martha was not only distracted with service and ministering to Jesus and His disciples, she was also bothered at her sister Mary for not helping her, and wanted Jesus to reprimand Mary; but instead, Jesus says to Martha; Martha, Martha,” {He calls her name twice, the first to engage her, and the second to make sure He had her attention} then He says, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The phrase “you are worried” is the Greek word µe??µ??? merimnaó; which means, to be anxious about; divide in parts; to go to pieces. And, the word “upset” or the KJV says, “troubled” is the Greek word ????ß?? thorube; which means, disturbed or thrown into confusion. Martha was divided in parts, going to pieces, disturbed and thrown into confusion; Jesus says, “About many things”. Jesus slightly reproofs Martha about her anxiousness about those things she believed she needed to do to minister to Him. Jesus points out to Martha that she should have chosen to be like her sister Mary, who choose to get to know Him, learn of Him the heavenly wisdom He imparts. Jesus was not rebuking Martha's activity, but her anxiety and distraction through her activity.
Now, let’s look at the interaction between Martha, Mary and Jesus from an exegetical point of view. Which simply means, an explanation of the passage.
Before we do, we must understand, there nothing written in scriptures just as filler, it’s all testimonies for instructions that is to be used for our understanding and growth. As such, this testimony of the interaction between Martha, Mary and Jesus is recorded for divine teaching and understanding.
Now, Martha, opened her home to Jesus, which can easily be seen as an analogy of letting Jesus into one’s life. We also see that Martha willing ministered and served the Lord. She wanted to please Jesus by serving and ministering to Him. So, she busied herself with doing just that.
And, Martha was bothered at her sister Mary for not assisting her with the serving and ministering to Jesus and His disciples, but instead just sat at Jesus feet, listening to all Jesus had to say. But, what bothered Martha most, is that He seemed to pay more attention to Mary, who was doing nothing but listening and learning, than He did to her being a good hostess to Jesus and His disciples. So, Martha confronts Jesus, almost in an accusing manor, “Lord, don’t you care?”.
Jesus responds to Martha by telling her she is anxious, divided into parts, drawn into opposite directions and disturbed, thrown into confusion about many things. Jesus then tells Martha, a few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, (or KJV says, Mary hath chosen that good part), and it will not be taken away from her.”
The word needed is the Greek word ??e?a, a?, ? chreia; which means; such things that are of necessity, essential requirements which are extremely necessary.
Basically, Jesus points out to Martha the difference between needs and wants. Needs point out the something you must have for survival or to have a healthy life. On the other hand, wants refers to something which is good to have or do, but not essential for survival or healthy life.
Look at the chart of comparison between Needs and Wants.
Jesus told Martha, that Mary chosen what is better or that good part or portion, which will not be taken from her.
What was Jesus talking about?
That one thing is, getting to know the Lord; the rest follows, which is also contained in Him, all things are in Him — all power, all grace, all wisdom, all spiritual possibilities of every kind; and, therefore, when you receive Him, you receive all these things with Him."— It is not to merely to read about Him or to speculate about His character, but to get face to face with the Lord personally. We contemplate too many things:
John 17:2-3 2For You granted Him authority over all humanity, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Matt. 11:29 Jesus says,
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
In the O.T., Prov. 8:35, the Lord says, "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD". The Hebrew word for “findeth” is ????? matsa; which means to attain to, which can be described as giving attention to or seeking after.
Jesus tells Martha, that her sister Mary has chosen that good part or portion, and that was to get to know Him. Mary was not merely situating herself in a religion or religious practices, but the coming to know the Lord of Glory. Mary sat at Jesus feet, took upon His yoke and learned of Him. While Martha, whose service and ministry, though noble and commendable, was nothing more than trying to provide service unto the Lord, which she became too much engrossed in her mind; which became a distraction, from what was before Her, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
How many of us busy ourselves with trying to be a Christian rather than just being one? We get saved, become members of a Church, and immediately feel it’s our duty to do for the Lord, without first learning of Him. We sign up for this ministry and that ministry. Attend this function and that function. We carry out this task and that task. We feel obligated to this and that.
How many of us know children that grow up in Church, and now have a disdain, a dislike for the Church, because they were at Church 4 days out of the week because their parents dragged them to Church? How many of us spend most of our time at Church volunteering for this, attending Bible Study, men’s fellowship, women’s fellowship, Church meetings, choir practice, this practice and that practice. Now, don’t get me wrong, these things are needed and good, but you can’t put the cart before the horse. You must first secure your personal relationship with the Lord before troubling yourself trying to serve Him.
Many of us spend more effort and time serving, ministering for a cause of religion, and are but divided in parts, drawn in opposite directions, thrown into confusion. Truth be told, many of those things called ministry and service to the Lord, are but ministering and serving our small group of church members.
Now, Jesus said, only one thing is needed for this spiritual journey, for our spiritual duty, spiritual service and spiritual business; and that is, becoming His disciple, learn of Him, take His yoke upon you. Not the yoke of your local Church, but His yoke.
Jesus says, only one thing is truly needful – that of developing a relationship with Him. Get to know the Lord, and the things of the Lord, then all other things will be added unto you.
This is why Jesus tells Martha, Mary has chosen the good part or portion, to get to know Him, and a personal relationship with someone can never be taken away. Any true relationship withstands all, troubles, problems, issues, or whatever is thrown at it, it will endure. Mary chose to get to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Martha wanted to be noticed and gain brownie points through much ministry and service.
Let’s take a look at what Jesus tells us in Matt. 7:22-23:
22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Jesus is saying that many people, preachers, ministers, church goers and alike will say to Him, Lord, Lord, have we not performed all these ministries and services in your name —Have we not done these works in your name. But, Jesus will plainly say to them, ‘I never knew you.” —
The actual Greek transliteration of “I never knew you” reads ??d?p?te Oudepote (never) - ????s?? ginosko (knew I) - ?µ??· hymas (you). And, the word ginosko, Knew I; only means a personal experience, personal interaction.
I know there are many who want to look at this passage and believe Jesus is talking to hypocrites, non-true believers, those who didn’t follow His Word, and so forth, because of the last sentence of Jesus saying you workers of iniquity. But, are we not all workers of iniquity? Also, if you look at the parable of the 10 virgins, each were given lamp, and they were virgins, signifying purity; yet, Jesus told the five without oil the same thing – “I do not know you” or never knew I you.
Without question, the determining factor is “NO real personal relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ…
Jesus makes plain to us, only “One thing is needful” – Develop your relationship with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
There are three things we can learn from Marth, Mary and Jesus’s interaction:
1. Even when we serve and minister, which may seem helpful, good, noble and commendable, we can sometimes allow ourselves to get engrossed in our mind about them that it cause us to loose site of the only one thing that is needful, our relationship God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! Let’s do the earthly things without neglecting the spiritual things.
2. Service and ministry for the Lord is wonderful, and we should all do that; but understand, that God tells us in His Word, Eph. 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The service and ministry that God would have us do, He will lead us into doing them unto His Glory.
3. There "are" times when we need to stop and to just attend to our soul because we can feel, see and realize that we need to draw closer to Jesus. From time to time, we just need prayer and His word - to simply attend to our relationship with the Lord.
I hope you have been blessed and the eyes of your heart enlightened. Amen! Please join our animated Bible Studies at youtube.com/fitwnetwork
