The Most Important Thing

Introduction:

The world has gone crazy! Everything has to be instant and we want things to be done yesterday! What was meant to save time now takes up our time (email, cell phones). We have heard two messages: ‘Sabbath’ and ‘Feet of Jesus’. I want to reinforce today so that it is heard above all the noise of life: “What is the most important thing?” Jesus tells us what in this story.

I Martha’s Open Home, v 38

i) Both loved Jesus: Perhaps Martha was a widow who lived with her brother and sister in Bethany. They all loved and honoured Jesus.

ii) Their home was open to Jesus: It is important to keep our homes open to the Lord and his people: to practice hospitality without grumbling (1Pe 4:9).

II Mary’s Open Heart, v 39

i) Sat at Jesus feet: Speaks of devotion and discipleship. Paul in Act 22:3 says he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel.

ii) Thrice at Jesus Feet: 1) v 39, sits at His feet; 2) Joh 11:32, falls at Jesus feet & 3) Joh 12:3, anoints Jesus feet with nard for burial. Like Paul in Phi 3:10: 1) know Him, 2) know power of resurrection and 3) know fellowship of His sufferings. Mary’s heart was to know Jesus.

III Martha’s Many Things, v 40,41

i) She was distracted: Literally it means that she was being pulled in many directions. Jesus was in her home but she had lost focus. He was Saviour but not Lord.

ii) Myths about being too busy: 1) Busy equals important. But in fact it often cuts us off from developing important relationships; 2) Someone wins the rat race. But actually what you are, is more important than what you do; 3) Hurrying will buy us more time; 4) Down time is wasted time 2). God gave the Sabbath to rest.

iii) Results in 1) Reprimanding Jesus; 2) Insinuates that Jesus is uncaring; 3) Tells Jesus what to do.

IV Mary’s One Thing, v 42

i) Putting Jesus first: Many things did not distract Mary. She was focused on Jesus. Phi 3:13, this one thing I do ...., Mat 6:33, but seek first the kingdom ....., Psa 27:4, one thing I ask of the Lord.....

ii) Sinner lacks one thing, the saint needs one thing: Luk 18:22, one thing you lack. Sinner lacks Jesus as His Saviour, the saint needs to keep Him .

iii) God is looking for worshipers: Joh 4:23 Mary was a worshiper. The many things of Martha can be done more effectively and without distraction if we have worshiped Him.

Conclusion:

Everything that we do must come out of worship unto God. This is where we receive our daily bread, our sustenance and spiritual strength to do everything else. That is the one thing that will not be taken from us even in heaven.