Mary & Martha (Lu. 10:38-42)

Read Luke 10:38-42.

• Contrasts
• Mary stayed seated, focused on listening, and said nothing.
• Martha got up and down, focused on doing, and complained about Mary.
• Similarities
• They were sisters.
• They both sat at Jesus' feet and heard Him.
• Mary never got up but kept on listening.
• Martha got up to serve, which suggests that her initial posture was the same as Mary's.
• Observations
• This appears to have been Martha's house.
• Jesus didn't say Martha's service was unnecessary or unappreciated.
• No words were spoken by Mary.
• Lessons
• The issue might not be the issue.
• Martha thought the issue was Mary's neglect and selfishness.
• Jesus said the issue was Martha's anxiety and agitation.  Jesus knows your heart and will call you on what's inside it!
• It is easier to serve than to listen.
• Beware the distraction of doing!
• Listening requires delight and discipline.
• Just because something is helpful doesn't mean it is necessary.
• It is easier to monitor someone else's not serving than it is to monitor your own soul.
• Jesus said Martha was anxious and troubled about many things.  Some people attempt to ignore or minimize their lack by keeping busy.

Belief For Right Now (Jn. 11:21-27)

Read John 11:21-27.

This is an invitation to keep promises and hope in the present.  Jesus is not just "The I Will Be" but He is "The I AM."  Allow what you believe about someday to impact you in this day.  Martha allowed that Jesus could've done something four days ago.  She allowed something would happen "on the last day."  She seemed to allow that Jesus could do something now (11:22).  That present hope fell apart when Jesus made one statement (11:23).  Martha heard the word "will" and interpreted it as "future" (11:24).

When Jesus shows up on the scene, there should be a "right now" expectation.  "Some day" is wonderful.  "Eventually" is inspiring.  Why live with low expectation in the now?  Consider your need, your situation.  What is it, exactly, that you believe about Jesus? (11:27).  Articulate it.  You need to hear yourself speak it.  (Do you believe what you just said or do you merely think, "That is sound theology"?)

When There is Much To Do (Lu. 10:38-42)

Read Luke 10:38-42.

When there is a lot to do, stop and do nothing.  Give your hands and feet a rest and exercise your ears and heart.  Be with Jesus, not just near Him.  Serve Him by listening to Him, not just by doing things. Don't mistake convenience for necessity. Sitting at Jesus' feet isn't squandered time unless you fail to do what He says.  Expect the driven ones, the distracted ones, not to understand.  They will see you as lazy and unmotivated.

When today will you invest extravagant time with Jesus?

What about Now? (Jn. 11:17-27)

We're continuing to read through the Gospel of John. Today's reading is John 11:1-44.

The undeniable impact of "yesterday." Read Jn. 11:17. Lazarus was in the tomb three consecutive "yesterdays" plus one "today." "Just accept it" was the common advice. "Whatever 'it' is, 'it' can't change." Have you heard that lie before?


The unwavering hope in "tomorrow." Read Jn. 11:24. Tomorrow – however many of them there may be until Jesus' return and the Millennial Reign – things will finally change. Martha had good, though incomplete, theology. For sure, things will be different come one definite "tomorrow." What about today? Can things be different right now?

The unbearable hardship of "today." Read Jn. 11:25-26. There is hope for "tomorrow." Amen! But is there any hope for "today?" Yes! What Jesus told Martha was this: "What I can and will do in what you call "tomorrow," I can and will do right here, right now. Your answer, your hope, your miracle is not in a timeline or in an event. Your answer, your hope, your miracle is in a living Person, Jesus Christ!" He lives in a constant state of "now."

If all you have is a sinful past, a glorious future and a miserable present, that's surely not "abundant life" (Jn. 10:10b).

Renew your expectation of "now." Continue to look for Christ's "glorious appearing" (Tit. 2:13). Believe also that, until then, Jesus is not on vacation from you. Expect Him to "show up" today, right here, right now.

Martha's Mistakes (Lu 10:38-42)

Yesterday's reading was Luke 10-12.

1. Martha made the mistake of thinking that sitting still accomplishes nothing. Sometimes, you just have to stop. Does the word "sabbath" mean anything?
2. Martha made the mistake of thinking that being with Jesus is less important than doing for Jesus (Mk 3:14 > Jesus selected the 12 "to be with Him."). It's amazing how those other tasks will still be there after worship!
3. Martha made the mistake of thinking that the meal mattered more to Jesus than Mary. People first, projects second. The greatest service you can offer Jesus is your unhurried, undistracted attention.
4. Martha made the mistake of thinking that Jesus is fair. Jesus isn't fair. He's not interested in equal distribution of everything. He is interested in what He knows is best for each of His followers. Mary needed the reassurance she'd chosen wisely. Martha needed the rebuke. Jesus loved them both (Jn 11:5).