12th Sep 26 | 04:00
Studies by Book
Martha and Mary
📖 Luke 10:38-42
*Focused on Jesus alone* _(Luke 10:38-42)_
Distraction from the things of God is where our whole life will drift away to the extent of questioning and complaining to God.
This is the account of Martha. She had welcomed Jesus into her house _(Luke 10:38)._ She welcomed Jesus for she had come to know about Him and her intention for inviting Jesus was to hear His word _(Luke 10:39)._ We read that Mary, her sister, also sat at Jesus’ feet to hear His word.
Till then things were fine with Martha but at this point something began to happen within her and it was the matter of distraction _(Luke 10:40)._ What distracted Martha was the matter of serving Jesus and those who were with Him. At this point, many of us would probably rise to defend Martha. We would say, “Isn’t it necessary to serve the guests?” We will address this question in the next few days but friends let us just focus our attention on verse 40, today.
What did this distraction from the word of God, cause in Martha? We see that this matter of distraction, very quickly, led Martha to be quite disappointed with Jesus, for she goes to the extent of accusing Him by saying, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” Then she goes further by prescribing to Jesus, what Jesus needs to do, “Therefore tell her to help me."
We are probably shaking our heads at Martha and saying, “Martha, Martha, you’ve gone too far”. Friends, wait, isn’t this exactly where many of us are, today? We want things to happen our way. If things don’t go our way, we complain to God, we even accuse God for bringing us into the difficult situation we are in and then we have the audacity to prescribe to God, the action that He needs to take to rectify the situation. Are we in any way different from Martha?
Where does this problem begin? It begins with distraction from God’s word. Ask yourself, “Are you focused on His word or do you find it difficult to concentrate on the matters of His word? Do you find that the matters of everyday life are weighing heavily on you, that your time with His word has become a formality, more out of habit, not with a hunger?” If this is your condition, be warned, you are on a slippery slope. You will very quickly be complaining to God, accusing Him and also prescribing to Him, what God needs to do in your life, if you are not doing so already.
People, who are not focused on God’s word, will very quickly oppose God and His purpose _(Mark 3:20-21)._ Peter, had just acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah _(Matthew 16:16)_ but very quickly he rebuked Jesus, persuading Him not to go to the cross _(Matthew 16:22)._ Do you see how quickly Peter went far away from the things of God, became contrary to the purpose of God and actually manifested satan _(Matthew 16:23)._ Peter was distracted from His word.
If the Lord is convicting you that you are being distracted from His word, will you repent, seek His forgiveness and receive His healing and blessing to be filled with the joy of His word?
*Thought to ponder*
I suspect that many of us are Marthas but only a few are Marys.
*Living an overcoming life in Christ* _Luke 10:41_
_Philippians 4:6-7 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 understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus._
The Lord was not angry with Martha for her retort to Him but He deals with her patiently. Isn’t this also our own experience with our Lord? Our prayers and our requests to God are so often of the flesh and of the world but He patiently corrects us. He calls her, “Martha, Martha …”. Listen to Him calling you, by your name, with the same tone, urging you to be free of that which is taking you away from Him.
What was the correction for Martha?
Martha’s problem was anxiety. We are commanded not to worry _Matthew 6:25, 31, 34_. This does not mean that we do not do the work that needs to be done and lounge around. Martha and Mary were both responsible to provide hospitality to the guests, in their home, but it was the matter of anxiety that needed to be addressed.
Anxiety is birthed because of not trusting God. Trusting God and anxiety are mutually exclusive. If we are not trusting God, which will result in anxiety, it is sin. Whatever is not of faith is sin _Romans 14:23_.
When we continue in anxiety, by rationalising with reasons, we will be barren and unfruitful _Mark 4:18-19_. Being fruitful is not optional, for us, as Disciples of Christ. It is a mandate _John 15:15, Matthew 7:19_. Fruitfulness is about being a true blessing to others, for a tree does not bear fruit for itself but for others to be nourished. Fruit bearing is not an outward show of activity but an attitude that results in serving others.
How do we enjoy this victorious and overcoming life in Christ? The solution is given for us in _Philippians 4:6-7_. God wants us to place our needs, challenges, crises, and difficulties, into His hands, with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the key, which is the proof that we have handed over our problems into God’s hands. If we are not able to thank God, it shows that we have not yet handed over the matter into our Lord’s hands. When we thank God, the peace of God, which surpasses understanding, will fill our hearts and minds. Anxiety will vanish.
Being free from anxiety will give us the inner tranquillity to be creative and imaginative, to find God’s answers to our challenges. Anxiety, on the other hand, will leave us crippled and paralysed, unable to see the solutions that God has already provided for the problems that we face. Anxiety, will give rise to more anxiety and it is a vicious, downward spiral.
*Thought to ponder*
Anxiety is the cause for majority of illnesses. Why are we inviting sickness into our lives, by choosing to be anxious?
*Choosing to be at the feet of Jesus* _Luke 10:42_
_Luke 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word._
What Mary did, was what our Lord commends for each of us, to sit at His feet.
The majority of us have become those, who are rushed and are not rested within. Time with God and time alone with Him is something that we tell ourselves, ‘is very important’ but how many of us truly enjoy that time with God? Has reading the Bible and praying, become a duty? Are we having our quiet time with God, out of a fear that if we do not do so then we will struggle through life? Is time with God, our passion?
These are questions that I’m raising for myself, for I see in me a compulsive behavior to have my time alone with God, in order to be a better Christian or to really preach and teach the Bible well.
Time with God, is time with God. This is not a means to an end. Mary enjoyed the Lord. This must be our life. The Lord chose the disciples to be with Him. He would also send them out to preach _Mark 3:14._ The Lord must be our cup, from whom we drink continuously and He must be our inheritance _Psalm 16:5._ Our desire must be to dwell with the Lord, all the days of our life, beholding His beauty _Psalm 27:4._ Knowing Jesus is eternal life or life in all fullness and completeness _John 17:3._ We are complete in Him _Colossians 2:10._
This is the choice that we need to take in life. Will we choose Christ _Joshua 24:15,22_?
When we choose Christ, let us know that we have chosen that which can never be taken away from us. This is what the Lord told Martha, about Mary. Mary was drinking from the waters that would be in her a fountain of water, springing up to eternal life _John 4:14._ We died and our life is now hidden, with Christ, in God _Colossians 3:3._
*Thought to ponder*
```Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You```
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