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. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 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!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Martha opened her home to Jesus. At a time when much of the countryside was turning against Jesus, Martha opened her home to him. Neither the expense of entertaining Him and His disciples nor the opinion of the public officials and citizenry deterred her from welcoming Jesus in her home. Martha is a woman of faith, courage, and loving commitment to Christ! While Martha served the Lord with all of her heart, her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet listening intently to what He said. Martha was giving her full attention to all the preparations of hospitality and serving her guests. It troubled her that Mary was not contributing anything to partner with her in the work. She solicited Jesus’ assistance in directing her sister to help her. “Tell her to help me, Lord!” Martha knew that if Jesus told her to help, Mary would not refuse to start carrying a fair share of the work load.
Jesus saw an opportunity for teaching. “Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha….” Okay, only two times Martha! He pointed out that she was troubled, worried and upset about MANY THINGS! Her list may have included: Meal preparation, setting the table, keeping the food hot and served just right, carrying water, dishes to do, house cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, furniture polishing and arranging, etc. Maybe she even had animals to tend to – feed the cat and dog, milk the goat, feed chickens and collect the eggs. Gotta get all this done! MANY THINGS! Worry, worry, worry! Bother, bother, bother! Focused on many things! Mary is not helping, she’s just sitting there listening, she knows I have all this work, she’s thoughtless and inconsiderate and lazy! And Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha, Martha…” Okay only two times Martha! Jesus directed her to understand that ONLY ONE THING IS NEEDED, and Mary has made the good choice that will not be taken away from her.
NOT – MANY THINGS are needed, only ONE THING is needed! Christ is not so impressed by how much we DO for Him as how well we pay attention to Him! No one can snatch away the Word of Christ from the one who sits at His feet and soaks it in. Only ONE THING is needed – it’s not working for Him, it’s BEING WITH HIM! ONE THING is needed – it’s not making sure we put our best foot forward for Him, it’s sitting at HIS FEET! ONE THING is needed – it’s not complaining or telling Him of your need for help, it’s CAREFULLY HEARING what He has to say! Only ONE THING is needed – JESUS is all we need! MANY THINGS may become very important to us, even things that we do for Christ, but only ONE THING is really needed. Are you sitting at the feet of Jesus? Are you listening intently? Do you know His heart? Do you know Him? You may be a person of great faith, courage and love for Christ, but don’t get distracted from this ONE THING by MANY THINGS!
Thursday: Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
Friday: Pray for the Good News families of the week: Pastor Dave & Cindy George, Allen Grandin (Junior), Christina Greisch (Derek, Alisha).
Saturday:Welcome Jesus into your home!
Sunday: Sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him carefully.
Monday: Put away the many things that worry and distract you from time with the Lord.
Tuesday:Take note of those things about which Christ would say, “Martha, Martha” only using your name, then make your corrections.
Wednesday: Be careful about being critical of those who are sitting at the feet of Christ while you are busy serving Him.
Prayer Challenge: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. – Philippians 4:4-8
on November 7, 2013