A Heart for Worship and Hands for Work
#96 in Series: “The Life of Christ – in a Harmony of The Gospels”
We return today to our series in the Life and Ministry of Jesus as revealed in
the four Gospels of the NT... We also return to the 10th chapter of the Book
of Luke...
Early in the chapter, we read of the sending out of the 70 to go before the Lord
and He planning to go to various towns and cities in His final months of life
before going to the cross...
In this chapter, we also read of the famous teaching of our Lord when He tells
the story of who we call – “The Good Samaritan”...
Today, we come to one of the more ... troublesome passages for many. Luke
is the only one to tell us about this event... We are introduced for the first
time to – two sisters, Mary and Martha – the sisters of Lazarus. These ladies
are fellow-followers of Jesus – and they have the opportunity to host the Lord
in their home... Jesus usually didn’t travel Alone, so we can conclude that
there were others there – but we are not told how many...
Let’s read our text:
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman
named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister
called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
40But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to
Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the
serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” 41But the Lord answered and
said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many
things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good
part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Now, if this were the only passage about these two sisters, you might come
away thinking that one is spiritual, and the other is ... carnal. That would be a
mistake!
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Are you not glad that your reputation is not built upon one thing you have
done, or not done in life?... Reputations are developed out of ... patterns of
life, and we learn much about both of these sisters when you explore
everything recorded about them in the Scriputres...
The reading of our text today unfolds a story that is easy enough to follow.
You have a Guest in the home – a Guest Who is like no other guest. This
Guest deserves the very best – and there is the desire in this home to bring the
very best to The Master!
Let’s begin with our consideration of –
1. The Hospitable Martha
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman
named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
Immediately, we see something very encouraging about Martha, and that is –
➢ Her welcoming heart
Martha is eager to welcome Jesus into her home. She makes her home
available, and she’s about to prepare a meal ... fit for The King!...
We need to be more like Martha in this regard. It seems that she already has
the heart all Christians are exhorted to have. We are to be –
Romans 12:13
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Let’s not rob Martha of her heart for hospitality!... She has a ... good base.
She is, for all practical purposes, “other-centered”. She is concerned for
meeting the Lord’s physical needs of having something to eat while He is in
her home...
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Your world needs people like Martha. If there was no one in your life who
had such a heart for the logistics of life, you wouldn’t be eating, wearing clean
clothes, or sleeping in warm beds!
Next, let’s consider –
➢ Her working hands.
It’s one thing to have the heart of hospitality, but even that bent, can get out of
balance. Martha needs ... balance!
Martha knows the principle of work! Though she is mentioned only a few
times in the NT, most of the time ... she’s in the kitchen working – and she is
working to prepare a meal for others! Hands are an extension of the heart!
Martha knows the principle of serving the Lord, as Paul will later write about
–
Romans 12:11 (ESV)
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
But, as we will see, Martha has lost sight of something even more important...
There is a truth proclaimed by the Lord through the Prophet Hosea when He
said –
Hosea 6:6
For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice,
And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
The Lord is more interested in your heart, than your hand. By that, I mean the
condition of your heart – your spiritual health is more important than the “task
at hand”...
We learn in our text that Martha also has –
➢ Her worrisome distractions
Luke 10:40a
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations...
There is nothing wrong with a hospitable heart, and really nothing wrong with
working hands... until they become hampered by worrisome distractions...
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Martha had become distracted. In her focus on preparing the meal, she lost
focus on her need to ... draw near to the Lord. She was focused on feeding
His body, when He was ready to ... feed her soul!
Luke 10:41
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered
about so many things;
I hope you see the grace and gentleness in Jesus’ words. He could have been
harsh, but Jesus chooses to be gentle, but ... direct.
Jesus, who sees the heart of all, gives an accurate diagnosis of Martha. He
exposes her ... worry and anxiety...
You may not be able to help when circumstances in life ... press in upon you,
but you can help what you do with that pressure when it comes... The
strongest of Christians can be susceptible to becoming worrisome or anxious.
Elisabeth Elliot said – “Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do
both. They are mutually exclusive.”
i
We can choose to ... keep worrying, or we can choose to ... trust... How do
you move from one to the other?
Write these passages in your notes –
1 Peter 5:6-11
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may
exalt you at the proper time, 7
casting all your anxiety on Him, because He
cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the
devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But
resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering
are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After
you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to
His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm,
strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever.
Amen.
Look at verse :7 again –
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
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And –
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of
God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
One could argue that Martha is doing just that... Let’s consider –
➢ Her transparent honesty
Martha comes –
Luke 10:40b
... she came up to Him [Jesus] and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left
me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
Well... she’s not exactly “casting her care upon” Jesus – as much as she is ...
complaining ... and demanding! In either case – Jesus can handle it!
Whether it is in submission to the Lord, and complaining to the Lord – you
can ... tell it to the Lord!
He was gracious and gentle – but also direct with Martha! He will be with
you as well...
Now, there may be a better way of identifying this next character trait about
Martha, but the best I can describe it is –
➢ Her teachable spirit
We don’t see this so much in our text, but we do when at a point in the future,
Jesus returns to Martha’s house ... for another meal – let’s read about it –
John 12:1-3
1
Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where
Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him
a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those
reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very
costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His
feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the
perfume.
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What evidence do we see in this text that Martha had a ... teachable spirit?...
No complaints!...
(John 12:2)
It seems that the setting here was even more demanding, with even more
people in her home, and the scene is similar – Mary is at the feet of Jesus, and
Martha was ... serving ... with no complaints...
The truth is, Martha has grown a lot in her faith since our text in Luke 10...
We will read more about that another time...
The second person of interest in this drama is who we will call –
2. The Worshipful Mary
Martha –
Luke 10:39
She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His
word.
What can we glean about Mary from this text so far?... We see –
➢ Her humble posture
Mary is –
Luke 10:39
She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
She seems to always be taking this posture...
We will see her later, when her brother Lazarus had died, that –
John 11:32
Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying
to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
In John 12, we see Mary worshipping at Jesus’ feet yet again –
John 12:3
Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed
the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled
with the fragrance of the perfume.
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There is an interesting note that has been pointed out by others. Whenever we
encounter Mary, in these instances – there is some kind of fragrance: in Luke
10, it is food; in John 11, it is death (John 11:39); and in John 12, it is perfume...
It may be a minor point, but it is an interesting observation...
We also see in Mary –
➢ Her receptive spirit
Luke 10:39
She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
Mary is not merely listing to the “words” of Jesus – she’s listen to His word!...
She’s just not listening to Him talking – she’s listening to what He is saying!...
Jesus has “the words of life” (John 6:68), and Mary is drinking them in!
We also see –
➢ Her determined priority
We see this in Jesus’ words to Martha about Mary in verse :42 –
Luke 10:42
but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which
shall not be taken away from her.”
Jesus is affirming Mary by pointing to the fact that she is not trying to get out
of work – but is choosing to prioritize ... worship.
We need to be like Mary in this regard!... There is nothing more important in
your day, than to set at the feet of Jesus, worshipping Him and ... drinking in
His Word!...
Now, we’ve considered Martha and Mary in our text, but it is clear that the
One primary Character in this story is The Lord Himself! Let’s consider –
3. The Gracious Lord
Now this passage is obviously not exhaustive in illustrating everything about
Christ, but we do see illustrated in this context a couple of essential truths for
us to know about the Lord. Let’s begin with –
➢ His willing presence
Luke 10:38
Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
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Jesus was always ready to meet with sinners – including Martha and Mary...
Now some people who hear this may want to be ... offended by such a
statement... Afterall, these women aren’t being presented as ... great
sinners!... No – maybe not “great” sinners – but ... sinners none the less.
You see, none of us are immune from being classified as sinners – and all
sinners deserve nothing from the Lord but His judgement!...
Jesus’ willingness to even meet in Martha and Mary’s home – is an act of
grace on God’s part!... Listen, Jesus is even willing to meet ... with you too!
Jesus has a special place in His heart for sinners – that is, for those who ...
know that they are sinners in need of the Savior!
This was one of the problems the religious elite had with Jesus –
Luke 15:2
Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
– they were deeply offended that Jesus ... “rubbed elbows” with ... sinners.
You see, just because these are women, doesn’t mean they didn’t need what
Jesus had to say! You say; “of course not!” – but in that day, the attitude of
most toward women, was that they are only there to ... serve. Jesus values
women more than that – He affirms their need for truth, and their ability to
receive truth!
That leads us to consider –
➢ His gracious teaching
Luke 10:39
She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
Wherever Jesus went, He was committed to sharing the truth!
Something Jesus will say to Pilate, the night before His crucifixion is quite
telling. In their dialogue –
John 18:37
... Jesus answered... “For this I have been born, and for this I have come
into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My
voice.”
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Wherever Jesus went, He testified to the truth!... There are many today who
think that “truth” is not important. Our culture is becoming evermore steeped
in the post-modern worldview that there is no truth, or at best – relative truth
(“You have your truth, I have mine – and it doesn’t matter that they
contradict” – THAT is a make-believe world! Truth is what IS – not merely
what you WANT it to be!)
I don’t think this is a minor point! Our generation needs truth! – Not
“alternative truth claims” – not “fake news” – not self-deluded
“manufactured” truth!
This issue is not new with our generation! The Puritan, John Owens said of
his day –
John Owen – “Without absolutes revealed from without by God Himself, we are
left rudderless in a sea of conflicting ideas about matters, justice and right and
wrong, issuing from a multitude of self-opinionated thinkers.”
ii
Next, we see in our Lord something that ... many do not want to see... It is
often necessary, and He know just when and how to do it. It is –
➢ His gentle rebuke
Let’s read it again –
Luke 10:41-42a
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and
bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary...
Jesus knows Martha’s heart – just like He knows yours! He knows ... she is
... out of balance. She is too focused on the logistics of life, and missing the
life-blood of life! She’s missing out on the opportunity to spend quality time
in the presence of the Lord!...
Does that sound familiar? How many of us find it too easy to get fixated on
the immediate-s – and miss out on the ultimate-s... We can get so ... busy,
we can miss the beauty of the best things...
Martha was doing what most of us have the tendency to do - we can become
so busy with good things, that we miss the best things!
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Jesus also addressed the fact that Martha was given to ... worry, and we
addressed that earlier...
The point we need to see here is, Jesus doesn’t merely point out our problems,
He will point us to the solution –
Luke 10:41-42a
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary...
– and that solution will be seen in what He says next...
Randy Smith said – “The secular would only teaches us how to manage
worry through therapy and medication. Jesus promises us that through Him
we can eliminate it.”
iii
Jesus cares enough to ... confront as needed. He cares enough to tell the
truth, even when the truth may hurt!... Just keep in mind, He is the Great-
Physician of the soul! When He hurts, it is in order to heal!
Listen, speaking the truth –
Ephesians 4:15
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
– is what we are called to do! Truth is what will ... grow us up!... Sometimes
truth confronts – sometimes it comforts – but it is always what is right!
There is another observation to make about our Lord in this text, and we’ll
call it –
➢ His affirming defense
Luke 10:42
but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Jesus offers a defense – an affirming defense of Mary!
Mary chose well that day! Setting at the feet of Jesus, drinking in His word,
was what was best in that moment... May the Lord give us wisdom to
prioritize time we should spend at His feet!
Warren Wiersbe pointed out that – “Mary and Martha are often contrasted as
though each believer must make a choice: be a worker like Martha or a
worshipper like Mary. Certainly our personalities and gifts are different,
but that does not mean that the Christian life is an either/or situation. Charles
Welsey said it perfectly in one of his hymns:
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Faithful to my Lord’s commands,
I still would choose the better part;
Serve with careful Martha’s hands,
And loving Mary’s heart.
It seems evident that the Lord wants each of us to imitate Mary in our worship
and Martha in our work. Blessed are the balanced!”iv
... Now, before we get away – let’s consider a few ... Take Aways:
We never to be “hearers only, but doers of the word” (James 1:22-25)... So, what
lessons can we glean from this story? Here are a few things, perhaps you will
think of others:
➢ Busyness can rob you of the greater blessing.
➢ Worship precedes work in priority.
➢ Honesty with the Lord is always right.
➢ Attitude affects maturity, and vice versa.
➢ Jesus knows the motives of our hearts.
➢ Jesus’ love will confronts our shortcomings.
➢ Love compels truth.
➢ Truth will sometimes confront, and other times comfort.
There is just one question that needs to be asked, and you need to answer –
What does the Lord want you to do with this message?...
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Questions to Consider in Community Group:
➢ What is it about this particular encounter Jesus has in the home of Martha
and Mary that makes it so impacting?
➢ What should we learn from Martha? (What are the positive examples she
provides? What are some negatives we should avoid?)
➢ What is it about Mary that she seems to always be “at Jesus’ feet”? Why is
that important?
➢ Specifically, what do we see about our Lord in this setting?
➢ What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared?
Elisabeth Elliot – “Worry is the antithesis of trust. You simply cannot do both. They are mutually
exclusive.”
John Owen – “Without absolutes revealed from without by God Himself, we are left rudderless in a sea
of conflicting ideas about matters, justice and right and wrong, issuing from a multitude of self-
opinionated thinkers.”
Randy Smith – “The secular would only teaches us how to manage worry through therapy and
medication. Jesus promises us that through Him we can eliminate it.”
Warren Wiersbe – “Mary and Martha are often contrasted as though each believer must make a choice:
be a worker like Martha or a worshipper like Mary. Certainly our personalities and gifts are different,
but that does not mean that the Christian life is an either/or situation. Charles Welsey said it perfectly in
one of his hymns:
Faithful to my Lord’s commands,
I still would choose the better part;
Serve with careful Martha’s hands,
And loving Mary’s heart.
It seems evident that the Lord wants each of us to imitate Mary in our worship and Martha in our work.
Blessed are the balanced!”
➢ What “take aways” do you find most helpful? What others have you
thought about?
i Discipline – The Glad Surrender, Revell, 1982, p. 106.
ii https://gracequotes.org/topic/truth-absolute/
iii Randy Smith, Sermon, Why Do We Worry? Luke 12:22-34, September 8, 2019.
iv The Wiersbe Bible Commentary – the Complete NT in one volume, p. 172
