Day 50

Luke 10:38–42 (NIV)

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ 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!” ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

What a privilege for Jesus to eat at the house of Martha. What goes wrong for Martha when he comes?

Are there things that may be good except they distract you from God’s presence?

How do you keep the doing from overtaking the relationship with God? How do we always choose the better in verse 42?

Notes

It is the invite of Martha that causes Jesus to come. Hospitality is very big in Orient. Imagine inviting the president of the US to eat with you and he accepts -- What an honor yet then what a responsibility! Martha wants to do this but is overwhelmed by the opportunity. Mary is delighted in the opportunity-- not about the cooking but in being able to have the great teacher in their house! She takes advantage of it.

Listen at His feet- Unusual for women to listen in the midst of teaching; maybe in the back but not up front. Most Rabbis would not allow it! Speaks to Jesus’ treatment of women. He put them on an equal level with men!

Martha forgets what having Jesus at your house is all about. Not about all the preparations it’s about Jesus being in your midst- Watch out for that happening in worship, bible study- so distracted by what's next forget Jesus is here with me! LISTEN!!! get the priority right!

Vs 40- Martha definitely feels justified in her anger. Tells Jesus what to tell Mary-- Do I do that?

Focus on what is important. Throughout Luke the focus is about LISTENING. This story puts it in right focus even for someone meaning to do right. Martha a good person but she is letting things that matter less control her. Jesus telling her look- realize God in your midst and let that guide your priorities.

vs 42 Focus on the better! Why because that is what will last! The meal will make you hungry again, the teaching will leave you satisfied!

vs 41-42 are good life verses!