“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Hey, Jesus is coming over today!
What would be the first thing we would do?
What would be the first thing we would do?
Hmmm, perhaps clean the bathroom. Touch up the living room. Make sure there is something to eat. Oh, did you run the dishwasher? Pick up your dirty socks from the floor!
Oh, no the guest room looks like a storage bin!!!
The very familiar story of Mary and Martha. Martha often is seen as the “busy Martha”, so worried about the “house” when Jesus was visiting.
According to the Lord’s comment, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Indeed she was preoccupied with other responsibilities.
I wondered what she was worried about? What had her upset? Was it just the housework? Maybe the status of her heart was on shaky ground. Questions about life?
Let's not be unfair. We have all been there. I’m not justifying that keeping busy doing “housework” is more important than sitting at the feet of Jesus. Perhaps there were troubles or doubt about her own soul?
I’d like to say that after the Lord’s rebuke and revelation, I believe that Martha’s heart and outlook changed.
Follow me….
When Lazarus dies who is it that runs to meet Jesus?
Was is Mary? No.
Follow me….
When Lazarus dies who is it that runs to meet Jesus?
Was is Mary? No.
“When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.” (John 11:20)
Mary stayed, and Martha runs quickly to meet the Lord. Martha says, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (John 11:21)
Here we see her faith.
I don’t believe that Mary was now preoccupied with other responsibilities, but both have now seen Jesus as their Master. Something deep inside has changed for both.
Martha’s heart has been touched by the Lord.
Martha may have been rebuked but she quickly learns “what is better”.
We all have been Martha. We may be Martha right now. The lesson is to hear the voice of the Lord. To anchor to the direction he is pointing us to. He is the Way to Life! He knows our preoccupations and how easily distracted we get.
We can’t make excuses for our neglect; our disregard what the Master is teaching us. We must realign ourselves to what is right.
Sometimes we neglect to read the Word of God; guilty! When opportunities arise to share the Gospel, we might shrink back; guilty! Sunday mornings seem to be the best time to sleep and we want to stay home. The distractions of life are obstacles. They try to stop the transformation the Lord is working out in us.
Jesus says to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)
Wow, do you believe?
Martha replies, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
Way to go Martha!! God is so patient with us.
The Lord is Messiah. He is the promised One.
He takes the dead and causes it to live.
Dreams, situations and circumstances that speak dissolution and strife; he turns them around.
He hears when we call for help. He knows our weakness and yet he continues to pursue us.
He knows our need for him and he waits in hope that we respond to his love.
He gives us many opportunities to come and sit with him. He wants to lavish us with his love!
So, what shall we do today?
Have the dishes called to you? The dust is overwhelming! The dirty clothes have consumed me. Distractions, interruptions, commotions, and on and on.
PUT THEM ASIDE.
Sit at the feet of Jesus today.
He can raise the dead to life; He is the Resurrection and the life!
Let’s choose what is better, it will not be taken away from us! (Luke 10:42)
The housework will get done. He quiets the anxieties of life.
When we have been filled and refreshed by the Word of the Lord, the rest of life becomes easier.
Thank you Martha & Mary!
So, what shall we do today?
Have the dishes called to you? The dust is overwhelming! The dirty clothes have consumed me. Distractions, interruptions, commotions, and on and on.
PUT THEM ASIDE.
Sit at the feet of Jesus today.
He can raise the dead to life; He is the Resurrection and the life!
Let’s choose what is better, it will not be taken away from us! (Luke 10:42)
The housework will get done. He quiets the anxieties of life.
When we have been filled and refreshed by the Word of the Lord, the rest of life becomes easier.
Thank you Martha & Mary!
Thank you Lord!
God bless you!~Liz
