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.
Lord don’t you know what I am going through?
Lord don’t you care… …that I am the only one working? …that no one is helping me?
…that this isn’t fair? I am doing this all for you…don’t you care?
What Martha was doing was essential, but what Mary was doing was eternal. Don’t let the essential drown out the eternal.
But Jesus answered Martha this way…
(Luke 10:41-42)
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.
But Martha had her good points.
1. She received Jesus into her home (John 10:38)
2. She served Jesus (John 10:40; John 12:2)
3. She was the first to go to Him in time of need (John 11:20; v30)
4. She had faith in Him (John 11:21-22)
5. Believed in the resurrection of the body and eternal life (John 11:23-27)
6. She confessed that He was the Christ the Son of the living God (John 11:27)
7. She carried Jesus’ message to Mary (John 11:28)
So, when we read this we assume that Mary did nothing to help with the preparation for the meal. But Martha implies that at some time Mary was helping her, but she left Martha in the kitchen to sit at the feet of Jesus. Go ahead and circle the word "distracted". The sense of the word translated “distracted” here means “to be pulled away” or to be “dragged away.” In other words - to be taken captive. To be made a prisoner against one's own free will. The implication is that Martha wanted to hear Jesus herself. She wanted to be seated at His feet too. She wanted to be seated next to Mary - but she was pulled away - taken captive - by her sense of “duty.” Fretting about the meal has robbed her of the joy of listening to the Lord.
We should of course, take our responsibilities seriously, but not to the point where we neglect listening to Jesus.
But Mary had her good points as well.
1. She sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39)
2. She heard His word (Luke 10:39)
3. She put the most important things first (John 10:42)
4. She anointed Jesus (John 11:2; 12:3)
5. She had faith in Him (John 11:32)
6. She was one of only nine people who would fall down before Him (John 11:32)
7. She washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
8. She recognized that a divine interruption had come into her life.
I can see Mary in the kitchen working right alongside Martha when, suddenly, she comes to her senses. And she realizes… “God is sitting in the living room and I am peeling potatoes!” So she put down the potato peeler and sat down with the savior.
Mary recognized the significance of the moment and that it was not determined by what was served, but by who was there.
Notice that in the process of her worship Mary gave with no other objective than to be in His presence.
Thank God, He has a way of helping us keep things in perspective.
It is funny how the things that were once so important instantly become irrelevant when Jesus steps in to the picture presence of the Lord.
She had a choice to make…her choice “was not” between what was “bad or good.” She had to choose between what was “good” and what was “better.” Mary chose what was better.
MANY PEOPLE ARE LIKE MARTHA
1. They work hard at cooking and cleaning.
2. They work hard at keeping the home nice and tidy or at making money..
3. But, they neglect the more important task of spending time with the Master.
Differences between a “Mary” Christmas and a “Martha” Christmas:
1. A Martha Christmas means only being concerned with the material things of Christmas.
2. A Mary Christmas means being concerned with the spiritual side of Christmas.
3. A Martha Christmas means only being concerned with building an earthly home and earthly treasures. 4. A Mary Christmas means being more concerned with what you have in heaven
5. C.S. Lewis stated: "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this world."
CONCLUSION:
Let this be a “Mary” Christmas where you have peace and forgiveness. …where you can have the “CHRIST” of Christmas.
…when you not only have a Bible but you have the one who WROTE it.
…when you not only have the good things of this world, but you have the one who MADE it.
If you have never done so before, this Christmas season is the best time in the world to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You see, today you could receive the greatest gift of all.
Because you could receive:
1. forgiveness of your sins...
2. a new home in heaven...
3. the joy of the Lord in your life...
4. peace that passes all understanding...
5. But the best thing you could receive today is to know for sure that you name is written down in the Lamb’s Book of Life by receiving the love of God shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost...
If you really want to be saved, then you need to do it right now, because Jesus is about to return for His bride.
The altar is open… you can tell God that you are a sinner. Tell Him that you are sorry for all of your sins and that you want to receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives you the utterance. Then I can take you down in the water in Jesus name for the remission (forgiveness) of your sins and your name will be written down in the Book of Life. I am telling you that He can do it… listen to:
2 Peter 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Revelation 22:17
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Do you really want to put “Mary” back in Christmas?
1. She sat at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39)
2. She heard His word (Luke 10:39)
3. She put the most important things first (John 10:42)
4. She anointed Jesus (John 11:2; 12:3)
5. She had faith in Him (John 11:32)
6. She was one of only nine people who would fall down before Him (John 11:32)
7. She washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair.
8. She allowed a divine interruption in her life
You can follow in her footsteps today…
1. You have the opportunity to sit at His feet
2. You have heard His word
3. You can put the most important decision in your life first today
4. You can ask Him for His anointing on your life
5. You already have faith or you would not be here today
6. You can fall at His feet and worship Him
7. You can wet the altar with your tears of repentance
8. You can allow the Holy to give you a divine interruption in your life.
Would you allow Jesus in your life today? He is standing and waiting on you.
Revelation 3:20-22
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
There is a Scottish legend in which a poor boy who was tending some sheep on a mountain side. The boy saw a beautiful flower at his feet so he picked it. As he picked it he heard a great sound. Looking up he saw in the side of the mountain before him - a cave. Within the cave was precious gems and minerals. He walked into the cave - laid down the flower down and began to gather up gold, silver, and precious gems. He held them in his arms. When his arms were full he heard a voice speaking to him and it said, “Don’t forget the best.” So the boy turned again and gathered even more stuff into his arms getting a larger load than last time. As he was about to leave the cave he heard the voice again and it said, “Don’t forget the best.” This time the boy laid everything down and filled his pockets and hocked things on to his belt and reached out and gathered everything he could possibly carry. Having a full load the boy left the cave and at that instant the cave closed behind him locking him out. In the wink of an eye - all that boy carried turned to dust and was gone, and the voice said, “You forgot the best. The flower that you left behind is the key to the treasure. It opened the door for you. Always select the best and you can have the rest."
Folks Jesus is the key - select the best. Build your relationship with Jesus and you will have the rest. We can be so busy with the things of life - we can become so distracted by what is going on - that we miss Jesus. As we go through this busy world - may our focus always be on Jesus. Folks here is a warning: Unless we focus on Jesus we will focus on something else.
The temporal (physical) things of life are only for a season. But the eternal (invisible) things of life are forever. Choose wisely because you will have to live with your choice for eternity...
