Two Year Gospel Study Week 46

Luke 10:38-42; the story of Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by tasks and activities, but Jesus says that what really matters, what really lasts, is knowing Him and listening to Him.

Jesus came to the village of Bethany where Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. Martha invited Jesus and those with Him into their home. As Jesus taught them, Mary sat at his feet listening to what he said. 

Observation: Every time Mary is mentioned in the Bible she is at Jesus’ feet. 

Mary longed to be near Jesus and to listen to His voice and to internalize His goodness, His mercy and His love. At Jesus’ feet listening is where we want to be, too. Sitting at His feet listening closely to what He’s saying develops our relationship with Him. 

Do we desire to be at Jesus’ feet? Are we ready to hear what He has to say to us and how He longs to pour into us His love, mercy and goodness and how He longs to give us guidance and direction. 

Martha was distracted by the preparations that needed to be made for having guests in the house and she said to Jesus, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

Many look at this story and condemn Martha - but Martha is a devout believer and she makes one of the most powerful declarations of Jesus’ identity found in the gospels. In John 11:27 she says, “Lord, I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God who has come into the world.” Martha understood that Jesus is the fulfillment of everything the prophets foretold. 

Yet we can learn from Martha: she is upset and angry. Have you ever been in Martha’s spot? She goes to Jesus, not her sister. 

Martha is obviously an outspoken person. There is nothing wrong with being outspoken. But what matters most is speaking ONLY what God would have us speak. 

Even with Martha’s words to Jesus about her sister, Jesus responds kindly: “Martha, Martha, You are worried about many things, but few things are needed - indeed only one. Mary has chosen better and it will not be taken from her.”

There’s no rebuke here, but Jesus does go to the heart of the issue and the issue is Martha’s heart. She wanted to be a good hostess but that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was listening to Jesus and getting to know Him even more. 

Observation: What matters is knowing Jesus and listening to Him. 

It’s not about how much we’ve achieved, how much we’ve accomplished. It’s not about how well organized we are, how busy we have been and not about how successful we are. What matters is knowing Jesus and listening to Him. 

John 10:14 Jesus says, “My sheep know Me.” 

John 10”27-28 “My sheep listen to My voice, they follow Me. No one will take them from Me.” 

It is one thing to know what Jesus did, but it’s another thing to believe He did it for me. That’s true faith! 

It’s easy to become distracted with things that have no abiding value or to concentrate on things that are important but not paramount. What the Bible tells us is above all else seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be given. 

The story of Mary and Martha gives us a real life picture of listening to Jesus and getting to know Him and putting that into practice. Jesus desires ALL of us to have a close enduring relationship with Him. 

Are we working on our relationship with Jesus? 

Are we spending time in His presence or is he an after-thought? Are we receiving what He wants to give us or are we like Martha and upset about so many other things? 

Pastor shares a book reference: “God’s Favorite Place On Earth” by Frank Viola. The book addresses the difficulties of life and addresses when we feel betrayed by people and how God allows these times so that He can strengthen and mold us and to teach us to rely on Him as never before. 

Another point the author makes in the book is admitting he was often like Martha busy trying to get things done, but he says, “I learned how to work for God. Then I learned how to work with God. Finally, I learned how to watch God work!” Frank Viola

This story teaches us that life’s not about being busy for God and life’s not about learning ABOUT Him. It’s actually about knowing Him personally, it’s about watching Him move in powerful ways as we sit at His feet. It’s the best place to be!!! 

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St. Luke’s Account is part three of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. The Gospel of Luke takes a look at the life of Jesus, beginning with the well-known Christmas stories. Luke, a non-Jew, offers a unique perspective into the story of Jesus’ life. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group Bible study.