The life of Jesus – 19
Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42 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. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 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 helps me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Two sisters, two perspectives. One sister serving and one sister listening. One sister busy and one sister resting. It is amazing that the one that was busy was the one asking if Jesus cared enough about her doing it all by herself. This makes me think about how many times we get caught up with doing something. We are always busy doing things for the Lord. It was Martha’s house so she obviously was the one that was playing the host. I wonder how many times Jesus wanted to come and visit us and we were playing the host instead of having Him host us. Mary got what Jesus was doing. She allowed him to host her in her sister’s house.
We were called to be Christ like not to do Christ like. The key is that in “being” we are “doing” but this way it is effortless. Jesus never strained to do the work of God. He came to represent the Father in every aspect of life. During the storm in the boat he is sleeping. A storm doesn’t intimidate him. Looking at five thousand hungry people doesn’t make him strain to do something. “You give them something to eat,” he asked the disciples because he knew what he wanted to do. All it took to feed five thousand was a prayer. How stressful is that?
Death does not intimidate Him. “Little girl I tell you arise.” All he needed to raise that girl, or Lazarus or the widow’s son was speak. How stressful is that? We need to understand that when we stop doing things it doesn’t mean God stops doing things. God is ever faithful to perform his word. I can hear the people shout in the back. “We should be doers of the word and not hearers only.”
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
In the book of James it says that without work your faith is dead. I am so glad you said that. If we are to be doers of the word lets begin by defining the word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” To be doers of the word means to be doers of Christ. He is the word. My faith determines my work; my work does not determine my faith.
John 6:28-29 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
You will do more work for God believing than you would if you try to do it by yourself. Do I think we should do nothing? Absolutely not! I do however believe we will do more for God once we have spend time with Him and once we have gotten to know His heart. We can do more from God than we can do for God! My works should never be because I see a need. My works should be evident because I have spent time with Him. We are not need driven but relationship driven. Martha saw a need. Mary wanted better relationship. A need will make you a servant while a relationship will make you a lover.
Jesus tells Martha that she is troubled about much things. Is this an indicator to us to re evaluate what is driving us to act in certain ways? Mary has chosen the better part according to Jesus. While there is so much to do and the need is so great do we make the time to sit at his feet and learn? Are we straining to fulfill a need or are resting in his provision?
I love the last part of this passage we looked at. Martha was giving service and giving food. Everything she gave left her with less than she had before. Mary however gave time and Jesus said that it was the good part and it will never be taken away from her. Look at that statement again. What time we spend in his presence is never a waste or it is never lost. What you receive or whatever is imparted during your time with Him is never lost or taken away. In more plain English, when we spend time with him we encounter eternal things that will last forever. The enemy subtracts and divides. God adds and multiplies. When you encounter God you always leave with more of Him.
Can you take time today and spend it with Him. Can you feel the pull for communion with Him?
