TWO WOMEN - TWO TASKS
Martha the Doer and Mary the Devoted One
By
Jerry Falwell
I. INTRODUCTION (Luke 10:38-42)
A. Many have read the account of Martha and Mary who fussed over their role and relationship to Jesus. Practical people tend to take Martha’s side; contemplative people tend to take Mary’s side. Today, I want to point out the good points in both women. All of us must show that in our life all of us must be both - We must be “Martha” who serves. We must be “Mary” who sits at the feet of Jesus.
B. Martha The Doer
1. Martha prepared her house for Jesus. The Bible says, “Martha received him to her house” (v. 38). This means she had the gift of hospitality and was gracious. The greatest thing about Martha was that she was unselfish.
There are many people like Martha who get the church building ready, you see the tangible side of life.
2. Martha did what had to be done. The Bible says, “Martha was cumbered about much serving”
v. 40). When you have guests in your house, you have many jobs to do. Since Martha invited Jesus to her house, she had to prepare food, set the table, and look after many details.
There are many people in this church that get the building and programs ready for others to come learn and worship God.
3. Martha had good intentions. From the very beginning, Martha had the right intentions about Jesus Christ. When Jesus came to Bethany he needed some place to stay. Martha was well-intentioned. She used her home for Jesus. She used her gifts for Jesus.
4. Martha was useful but did things that pass away. The Bible says that Martha came to Jesus and said, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she should help me” (v. 40). Martha understood that things had to be done. She tried to get Jesus to ask Mary to help her. When Jesus left the house, who would remember how good the meal, how beautiful the table, or how clean the floors? She did useful things, but things that pass away. Jesus told Martha, “Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her” v. 42).
5. What Martha did was not inferior, it just interfered with her relationship to Christ. Martha did good things that needed to be done; but Martha was wrong in two ways. First, she complained about her sister, “Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone” (v. 40). Second, she didn’t choose the best.
To choose the less, When you could choose the best;
Constitutes the greatest tragedy of life.
6. Martha took care of the “needs” and “wants” of people, she did not take care of Jesus Christ. “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” (v. 41).
Conclusion.
All of us must live the life of Martha. There are many things that we “must needs” do. We must work for a living to earn money, we must clean our houses and take care of details. We must look after the “needs” of our family and those for whom we work. There is nothing wrong with being a “Martha,” but never be just a “Martha.” There are two sides to life. We also must be a “Mary.” We must sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him. The first is important, the second is imperative.
C. Mary The Devoted One
1. Mary wanted to learn from the words of Jesus. The Bible says, “Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his Word” (v. 39). It is important to come to church and hear the Word of God. It is important to be in Sunday School and hear the Word of God. It is important to give attention to the Word of the Lord.
Are you a “Mary” that loves the Word of God or are you a “Martha” that is irritated about the things that don’t get done in the church? While both are necessary, neither should complain about the other.
2. Mary rested in Jesus Christ. We do not see her working hard or running around the kitchen The Bible says, “That she sat at Jesus’ feet” (v. 39). Every time you see Mary in the Bible, she is at the feet of Jesus. In this story she is learning at the feet of Jesus. In John 12 she is anointing His feet. In John 11 she is crying at His feet. Being at the feet of Jesus is a good place.
3. In contrast to the troubled Martha, (v. 41) we see joy and peace in Mary who is sitting at the feet of Jesus (v. 42).
4. Martha was intent on eternal truth. When you come to learn the Word of God, you are looking at eternal truth. The Bible can be applied to everyday living because you learn eternal principles and apply them to culture. The Bible says that Mary “Heard His Word” (v. 39).
Conclusion.
Mary is a picture of the Christian who comes to church on the Lord’s Day to sit at Jesus’ feet. People like “Mary” come to worship, learn, pray, and fellowship with other people. People like “Martha” come to serve the Lord. Both types of people are necessary in the work of God.
BUT
All worshippers ought to work. All workers ought to worship.
D. CONTRAST
Martha
1. Picture of the believer who serves Christ with work.
2. Picture of the believer attending to necessities.
3. Picture of the believer NOW.
4. Picture of what all believers MUST do.
5. Picture of what is IMPORTANT.
6. Picture of weekly activity.
7. Picture of labor.
8. Picture of where we are.
Mary
1. Picture of the believer who fellowships with Christ.
2. Picture of the believer enjoying the fellowship of Christ.
3. Picture of the believer FUTURE.
4. Picture of what every believer DESIRES to do.
5. Picture of what is IMPERATIVE.
6. Picture of Sunday’s activity.
7. Picture of leisure.
8. Picture of what we hope to be.
E. WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM BOTH WOMEN
1. Both Mary and Martha were doing the will of God, so you who work please the Lord and you who can pray, please the Lord. But, when you work instead of praying (when the opportunity is given) you do not choose the best part.
2. Both women prefigure all Christians. All of us are “Marthas” who work for Christ, all of us should be a “Mary” who spends time with Christ.
3. Both women were happy. It seems that Martha was happy working for the Lord, trying to serve His physical needs. It seems that Mary was happy, learning from the Word of God. Therefore, a believer can be happy in duty or devotions.
4. Both women were doing what they were to do. Some people are called to service, some people are called to fellowship. What is your calling? How well are you doing what God has called you to do?
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Contact us and ask for a copy of The How To Book or use The How To Book Online (Falwell.com). It is a booklet that will answer many of the questions you are sure to have about living the Christian life. And when you contact us, tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
