Today’s Reading:
Luke 10: 38-42 (NKJV)
“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.” 41And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 38-42)
The Bible passage above; Luke 10:38-42, relates the story of Martha and Mary entertaining Jesus, and Martha getting upset with Mary because she was not helping her with the chores.
When Jesus came to Bethany, Martha demonstrated hospitality by welcoming Jesus into the home she shared with her sister; Mary. She then got herself busy with the tasks of serving their guest. Although we are not told precisely what those tasks were, but was probably preparing a meal. Jesus commended Mary and corrected Martha on the matter. This story is like attitudinal opposites in entertaining the Lord. The likes of Martha and Mary exist in us and around us - Those individuals who are trying to deal with some issues in their relationship with the Lord:
1. Frustration: Martha is hospitable and hardworking. However, she was distracted, worried, uptight, and upset. Most of us try to do too much. When we try to do too much it leads to frustration. Martha was so busy it became a burden and not a blessing. That was why Jesus said in Luke 10: 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. She lost the joy of serving. Indeed, people need to work and serve one another, but the issue here is that Martha got her eyes off Jesus and focused on her activities. We have to make sure our service does not become self-serving. Who are your services focused on? You, or Jesus? Serve the Lord with gladness. Serve without complaining. Serve without calling attention to yourself. Martha, out of frustration complained about what Mary was NOT doing. She was not pleased with Mary and ultimately extended her annoyance to Jesus (Luke 10: 40B “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, tell her to help me.”). The problem with Martha was not her serving, but rather, she was worried and distracted. Her worry and distraction prevented her from being truly present with Jesus.
2. Fellowship: Mary was at the feet of Jesus. Loved fellowship with the Lord. We saw her worshipped the Lord in John 12: 3 Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. There is a difference between doing something FOR Jesus and being WITH Jesus. Spending time with Jesus is about knowing God and listening to Him. Worship should be at the heart of everything we do. Our work should be an outflow of our worship. Our labour should be an overflow of our love. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary were close friends of Jesus. He felt at home in their house. He wanted to be with them. That was why He went to visit. Does Jesus feel at home in your house?
3. Focus: Jesus told Martha (Luke 10: 41-42 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”). There will always be so many things pulling at us but one thing is necessary. Daily sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him. Listen to His word. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Submit, saying, “not my will but You're will be done.” The only way to defeat flesh is to spend time in the word and time in prayer; setting your focus on Him. We face so much pressure now and again but the only way to overcome worry is to spend time with Jesus. Your FOCUS will determine how much dependent you are on Jesus. Our worship should be an expression of His worth. Every time we serve, sing, pray, give generously, let it say, “THIS is how much Jesus means to me”.
In conclusion, Jesus’ words to Martha in verse 41through to 42 is an invitation rather than a rebuke. The one thing needed was for Martha to receive the gracious presence of Jesus, to listen to His words. Many of us identify with Martha. Feeling pulled in different directions, feeling worried and distracted by many things — Jesus asked a crucial question in Luke 12:25 And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? It is true that we want to provide for our families, we want to give our children every opportunity to enrich their lives, we want to serve our neighbours, and yes, we want to serve the Lord. When all our activities leave us with no time to be still in the Lord’s presence and hear God’s word, we are likely to end up anxious and troubled. We are likely to end up with a kind of service that is devoid of love and joy and is resentful of others. Do not overburden yourself with worries. Whatever you do, make the right choice. Jesus said, “…one thing is necessary” (v. 42). Martha’s distraction and worry left no room for the most important aspect of hospitality — attention to the guest.
Jesus is inviting all of us who are worried and distracted by many things to sit and rest in his presence (Matthew 11: 28-29). We need to seat at His feet and hear His words of grace and truth, to know that we are loved and valued as children of God, to be renewed in faith and strengthened for service. There is a need for only one thing (Luke 10: 42A But one thing is needed): attention to our guests. As it turns out, our guest is also our host, with abundant gifts to give us. FOCUS ON HIM! Shalom!
RETI SOLOLA
Prayer:
1. Thank You Lord for your unconditional love. Thank you because, despite those things I do to keep You far from me, You still draw me by love and mercy. Thank You, my Saviour, and my Redeemer I appreciate You, in the name of Jesus.
2. Father, please forgive me all my sins - selfishness, worries, too much attention to myself. Be merciful unto me, and cleanse me from all unrighteousness, in the name of Jesus.
3. Father, You are Lord over the nations, please have mercy on Nigeria and turn the hearts of our leaders to reverence you.
4. Father, unite Your church in Your love, in Jesus name.
5. Father, in any way I have lost direction, please refocus me. Let my focus daily be, in Jesus name.
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