38Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
A young stranger to the Alps was making his first climb, accompanied by two stalwart guides. It was a steep hazardous ascent. But he felt secure with one guide ahead and one guide following him. For hours they climbed. And now, breathless, they reached for the rocks protruding through the snow above them- the summit.
The guide ahead wished to let the stranger have the first glorious view of heaven and earth, and moved aside to let him go first. Forgetting the gales that would blow across the summit rocks, the young man leaped to his feet. But the chief guide dragged him down. “On your knees, sir.” He said, “You are never safe here unless you are on your knees.”
I. Martha welcomed. (38)
Mary invited Christ into her home. Instead of spending time with Him, she decided to do work. What an intimate time Christ wanted to have with her. She welcomed Him into her home and then proceeded to the kitchen. Doesn’t that sound a little rude? How would you feel if someone invited you into their home, but chose to clean house instead of being a good host. Oh but don’t we do this? How many of you have invited Christ in your home? Yes I mean your physical home, but I also mean you body. How many times has Christ yearned to spend time with you in prayer, you invited Him in only to get distracted by your thoughts, or the phone, or the television!
II. Martha worried (40, 41)
After doing the right thing of welcoming Christ into her home, Martha began to worry about all the work to being a good host.
Mt. 6:31-32 31“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32“For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
III. Martha wearied (40, 41) “troubled”
Are you picking up on the cycle here? Worrying leads to being weary. Can I get a witness? Listen to this warning from Christ. It warns us of being worried to the point that we are weary. It tells us that everyone that lives on the earth will have to face it (35). It also provides an “escape” (36).
Lk 21:34-36 34“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35“For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
What effects does this have on our life?
Mt. 13:22 22“Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
If we know that worrying to the point of being weary will choke out the word, why do we allow it into our lives? Why do we not make conscious efforts to deal with this problem in a biblical way?
IV. Mary worshipped (39, 42)
The one thing that Mary was doing was worshipping Christ! This will never be taken away from anyone!
Is 40:3131 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
Psalm 27:4, 4One thing I have desired of the
LORD, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.
65:4, 4 Blessed is the man You choose,
And cause to approach You, That he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Of Your holy temple.
V. Mary worked. (42)
Worship will lead us to God’s work.
Jn. 6:27 27“Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” 28Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
