One Thing
Mary & Martha Part 2
(Luke 10:38-42)
38Now 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. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40But 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 help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Review/Overview
Luke, who was a physician and a gentile converted to Christianity, tells the story of Mary and Martha, and emphasizes the humanity of Jesus who allowed a woman to sit at His feet along side the disciples (which went against culture). This passage takes place in Bethany at the home of Mary and Martha, where Jesus and His disciples were invited to eat and rest. Martha prepared to meet the physical needs of Jesus and the others, while Mary chose to sit at His feet. Mary grew frustrated because her sister wasn’t helping. Martha worked while Mary sat and soaked in Jesus. Martha eventually complained to Jesus but received a gentle rebuke about her priorities.
(Last time we talked about some of the things Martha did right. – She was a good hostess!)
what did martha do wrong?
________________________________________________________________
How/why were Martha’s priorities out of order? ________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Worrying and distraction can cause our priorities to get out of order. Martha’s intentions were good, but her priorities out of order. Too often we let our service for Christ become just busyness instead of devotion.
It was right for Martha to take care of His physical needs. She was being a good hostess, but what could she have done differently?
________________________________________________________________
It was right for Martha to take care of His physical needs. She was being a good hostess, but what could she have done differently?
________________________________________________________________
Simpler dinner? Less perfectionism? In order to answer this, it might help us to look at what Mary did right…
what did Mary do right?
38Now 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. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Verse 39 said that Mary also sat at the feet of Jesus. So what else was she doing? ________________________________________________________________
Mary didn’t neglect her responsibilities; however, Mary recognized the significance of Jesus’ presence and chose the “good part.” She served Him, and then she sat at His feet without getting caught up in the “distractions and busyness” of perfectionism…
Service cannot replace our time with Him.
One thing is needful…
Luke 18:22 - 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Psalm 27:4 - 4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; 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 enquire in his temple.
1 What “one thing” did Mary choose?
2 What did Jesus mean when he said that Mary had chosen something that she could not lose?
Mark 8:36 - 36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
3 How busy are you? Are so busy serving Jesus that you don’t spend time with Him?
No comments:
Post a Comment