Luke 10:38-42 - Best > Good
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Priority.
The word means to take precedence or urgency. It is the state of being in superiority or rank. It refers to something that is very important and must be addressed before other things.
This word has become more and more popular as of late.
We hear people talk about priorities in the workplace. We hear people talk about priorities in education and schooling. And we hear people even talk about this word in our churches.
Our Scripture for today is an excellent example of what it means to set your priorities straight. There are so many things that we can do that are good. Many people with misplaced priorities accomplish amazing tasks. Many business leaders and frankly even some pastors today have misplaced priorities but have accomplished amazing things on earth. Yet, their priorities of seeing growth and change have taken priority over the best thing. They have traded Christ for outcome. They have traded Christ for results.
As we go through our Scripture today, consider how you can be sure to make the best your number one priority - namely Christ and His Word.
Join me as I read our Scripture for today.
Read Full Scripture:
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Prayer
First off, we should know that this account is only found in the Gospel of Luke. It seems likely that this account is not in chronological sequence as Bethany is very close to Jerusalem as we will see shortly. This account would have likely been a little closer toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry.
However, it makes sense that Luke placed it here topically. We mentioned earlier in our study of Luke that he sometimes formulates his Gospel like many did in Greek writing. He often writes in more of a topical fashion than in sequential order. We see that as being likely the case today.
But, in his topical style, he has just given us the Parable of the Good Samaritan which showed us how we are to love our neighbor as ourselves - frankly even love our enemies as ourselves. And this account today shows us the priority of loving and choosing Christ and His Word over everything else. He is again emphasizing the priorities of the believer in Christ. God first and others second.
Luke charges his reader today to have a single-minded devotion to Christ. As we continue studying this great Scripture, continue to ask yourself the question…
Is Christ and His Word my number one priority?
Getting to our points (there are only two instead of three which may really throw some of you all off!)…today we will see two ways that we can seek what is best over everything else. The first is…
I. We Seek What’s Best by Learning from the Lord (38-39)
I. We Seek What’s Best by Learning from the Lord (38-39)
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
Again, we are unsure of the exact timeline between the Parable of the Good Samaritan and this account, but Luke lets us know Jesus is entering a village at this point. We are not specifically told whether the disciples are with him or not, but it is likely that they are based on the busy working of Martha that we see in a moment. It appears that she has quite a crowd that has just arrived.
The following sentence reveals to us what village that He has entered because we are introduced to this woman named Martha for the first time in Luke’s Gospel.
John 11:1 tells us where she lives:
Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.
Looking at a map we see that Bethany is only around 2 miles from Jerusalem. This location became very important in the ministry of Jesus. And this family was very near and dear to Jesus’ heart.
We have been introduced to one of the sisters already, Martha. And in the next verse we see the other sister.
And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
Whereas Martha was the initiator of welcoming Jesus, we are introduced to her sister next. And Mary, we are told sits at the Lord's feet and listens to his teaching.
The actual Greek word for listening here emphasizes a continual listening. She is listening to his teaching - or literally in the Greek - she is continually listening to His Word.
What an example Mary is for us! Her number one priority is listening to Jesus Christ. She wants to learn all that she can from the Savior. She is hanging on every Word that He speaks.
Friends:
Do you listen to Jesus like Mary did?
People often say they want to hear a Word from God. They want God to speak to them.
Do you not know that God can and will speak to you any time and anywhere! You just need to pick up His Word and read it.
Do you read the Bible expecting God to speak?
We have the opportunity every day to sit at the Lord’s feet and listen to His teaching - listen to His Word. Are you making Jesus your number one priority? Are you making His Word and Teachings your number one priority?
If not, we come to our third and final applicational question in this section…
What is hindering you from regularly listening to Jesus through reading His Word?
This is a question that we must address truthfully if we want to see any real change in our spiritual lives.
According to a study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average American spends between 9 minutes to 30 minutes daily on organizational, civic, and religious activities. The average for all Americans is actually closer to the 9-10 minute mark because it is those 75 and older that hit close to 30 minutes per day.
Let’s compare that to what is almost the greatest use of time for most Americans which even eclipses work for most age groups and comes close to even being greater than time for sleep and personal care - And this time-wasting vortex is (or as I want to say… survey says!… Leisure and Sports - which runs between 4.15 - 7.5 hours per day.
(https://www.bls.gov/charts/american-time-use/activity-by-age.htm)
If you are like most Americans, it isn’t household activities, caring for children, or education that is the major factor in hindering your Bible reading. It is leisure and sports - with some Americans spending almost 1/3 of their time on earth on things that really have no eternal value. Television, movies, social media, sports, and mindless entertainment soak up most of the excess time people have today.
As you consider how you spend your time, make spending time with Jesus and listening to His Word your first priority. Put it on your daily calendar and be rigorous on how you keep that appointment. Why would you prioritize a doctor’s appointment more than an appointment with the God of the universe? Why would you prioritize a meeting at work more than you would a meeting with the God who made you?
Take a step back and truly evaluate how you prioritize your life and schedule.
The Psalmist who wrote Psalm 119 obviously understood the importance of the Word of God:
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
May we love Jesus and love His Word that trains us, guides us, and gives us wisdom to accomplish His will and purpose. And may we all emulate Mary here in Luke 10 as we see her sold-out devotion to Christ.
It is easy to miss something else in this verse. We read this verse today and understand that Mary is keeping her priorities straight as we have already mentioned. But what we may miss is that it was unheard of in Biblical times for a woman to be discipled by a religious leader. Although Jewish teachings did not specifically forbid a woman to be instructed in the Torah, it was extremely uncommon for a woman be discipled at the feet of a rabbi.
In fact, a later rabbinic tradition is quoted as saying:
“May the words of the Torah be burned, they should not be handed over to women.”
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (quoting the Talmud)
Jesus obviously rejected this unbiblical view of women. The Gospel and the Word of God are for men and women alike. Although complementary in their roles, Jesus understood and taught the equal value and intrinsic worth of both men and women.
This is not the heart or thesis of this text, but it most certainly is a notable teaching within it.
Mary has provided us with a great example of what it looks like to have correct priorities. Moving forward, however, we will see a contrast between this sister and the other which brings us to our second point…
Scripture References: John 11:1, Psalm 119:103-105
II. We Seek What’s Best by Leaning on the Lord (40-42)
II. We Seek What’s Best by Leaning on the Lord (40-42)
Luke 10:40a (ESV)
But Martha was distracted with much serving...
Martha was distracted. Mary was single-mindedly focused on Christ. She was taking in everything He was teaching. But we are told here that Martha was distracted.
The Greek word used here translated as distracted means to be pulled away or dragged away. It means to be pulled away from a reference point and have one’s attention directed from one thing to another. There is a fight within her in this. She knows that she should be doing one thing but cannot seem to do it. She wants to listen to Jesus, but she feels the burden of the work that needs to be done to host this crowd. It’s not that Martha does not love Jesus or want to hear what He is teaching - we see in her other interactions with Him that she has great faith. But she just cannot let go of her worldly duties in order to focus on Christ.
This is where today’s sermon title comes in. She needs to understand that:
Best is always greater than Good.
Instead of learning from her sister, Martha begins to let a bitter root grow in her heart. This can sadly be common for those who are busy doing the Lord's work but not busy having a relationship with the Lord. The author of Hebrews talks about a bitter root:
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
How easily can we allow these bitter roots to grow up in our hearts. The devil is an accuser and likes to whisper accusatory things into our ears. Bitter roots like this have destroyed countless marriages with thoughts like this:
He doesn’t do as much as I do around the house. Or - Why doesn’t she seem care about my needs first?
Bitter roots destroy sibling relationships, workplace interactions, and friendships as well.
How easily do we start playing the comparison game with others. Bitter roots are so dangerous my friends.
Looking at the rest of this verse we begin to see the result of such a bitter root in Martha’s heart:
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Her question is very telling of the bitter root in her heart. Her bitter root not only begins to affect her relationship with her sister, but this inevitably affects her relationship with Jesus.
The Apostle John warns of this.
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
Her ire for her sister produced a barrier in her relationship with her Lord and Savior.
Don’t miss this important teaching here. If our heart is not right toward those around us, we will invariably not have a right heart toward God.
Instead of leaning on the Lord for help, she seems to petition Him somewhat brashly here.
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Looking back at verse 40, she literally commands Jesus to act. Well, I can tell you one thing… commanding God to do something is never a good idea. Although there are false teachers out there treating God like a genie, the Bible is clear that God will not be told what to do and when to do it. He is God and you are not. Listen to Psalmist declare this truth in Psalm 115:3:
Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
Martha’s complaint to Jesus about Mary is full of assumption. Her question is really an assuming question - more of a rhetorical question expecting a yes answer. Of course Jesus will agree with her. Doesn’t it seem obvious that Mary is a slacker? Doesn’t it seem obvious that Martha is the righteous one here?
How our work-based self-righteousness loves to prove our worth by how hard we work!
Instead of leaning on the Lord for power. Instead of leaning on the Lord for affirmation. Instead of leaning on the Lord for direction - We like to lean on ourselves and show God what kind of work we can get done on our own. We might not say it like that, but we certainly can live it out like that at times.
And then when we get burned out and are fatigued, we like to look around at others who haven’t accomplished what we have and complain to the Lord.
Church, if we want to have any staying power in ministry - some of you are like wait a sec - I didn’t sign up to be a preacher! I’m not called to be a minister!
I don’t mean you have to be a pastor, but each one of you is called to be a minister of the Gospel to others. First you are to minister to your family. Dad’s you are to lead your wives and children by ministering to them. Wives, you are to minister to your children and husbands by loving them and fulfilling what God has called you to do. Sons and daughters, you are to minister to one another by serving one another and loving one another well. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and others need to minister to those around them as well.
And then you are to minister the body of Christ:
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
You should be serving your brothers and sisters at CrossPointe with the gifts that God has given you. You are a minister to others in the body of Christ. This is why we stress membership and service to the church body. We are all called to serve one another with the gifts that He has given us.
And lastly, you are a minister of the Gospel to the world as seen in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20. There is no qualifier there saying that only pastors are to preach the Gospel to the nations. No, it is all of you!
Each of you here who have been saved by the blood of Christ are to be preachers of the Gospel. As a great many pastors before me have stated, it is not the pastor’s job to increase the size of his flock. It is the congregations! Sheep produce sheep - shepherds don’t produce sheep!
I obviously individually have the mandate to produce sheep, but as a pastor I am charged to care for the flock that the Lord gives me. This is why I preach evangelism so hard to you all most weeks. The burden of lost souls is on you as much as it is on me! We all must be sharing the Good News of the Gospel.
Yet, we can only minister unto the Lord by leaning on Him and working in His strength.
If we don’t work in His strength we will turn out like Martha and catch ourselves having a bitter root growing in our hearts.
Moving on to verse 41 we see Jesus’s reply:
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
Martha, assumed that Jesus would have her side on this matter. She felt very self-righteous in her request. It was obvious that she was doing all the work. It was obvious that this was not fair to her. Of course Jesus would take her side because she was right, and her sister was wrong.
Don’t we love fairness? Well, only if fairness ends up being in our favor, right? If it costs us then fairness isn’t nearly as important to us!
Jesus’ response is actually very loving and tender. In line with 1 Peter 3:7, Jesus rebukes Martha gently and lovingly. We see this doubling of a name multiple times in the book of Luke and each time consists of a caring emotion.
He mentions two problems that she is facing in his gentle rebuke.
She is anxious and she is troubled.
Jesus wants to warn her that to allow the cares of this world to choke out the Word of God and teachings of God is dangerous (Luke 8:14). He wants her to know that there is grave danger in not having her priorities straight.
Although these two descriptive words of anxious and troubled are very similar, they refer to two parts of the same underlying issue.
Her anxiety refers to her inward struggle. This is her struggle of the mind.
I am sure we all have anxious thoughts at times. This mental turmoil can be consuming if not dealt with and given to the Lord. And as this inner mental turmoil persists it leads to becoming troubled.
Her being troubled points to her outward agitation. This is a result of the inner struggle.
One of the hallmarks of anxiety is being agitated and being irritable. If one does not deal with anxious thoughts through prayer, wise counsel, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, one will become easily angered and agitated.
This is that state in which Martha stands. She is anxious and troubled. And she is anxious and troubled about many things… some of which are even good… yet she is not concerned enough about the best thing…
See Jesus continue in verse 42:
but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus then points her to what really matters most. He states that one thing is necessary - meaning that one thing is to be held and appreciated above all. This statement is where the word priority comes in. One thing should have the highest priority in our lives.
He says that Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her. In other words, she has chosen the better thing. And in this context, this word for good portion means that she has chosen the best thing - which is Jesus Christ. There is nothing better than choosing Him.
My friends, if you have not chosen to follow Jesus, may you respond to His gracious offering of salvation today. He came to earth and took on flesh some 2,000 years ago, lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead three days later. If you put your faith and trust in Him and repent, or turn away, from your sins, you can have eternal life. I pray that you do that today if you have not before. There is no more important decision.
Church, so often people in our world are overwhelmed by the things of this life that are not necessary - the things that do not deserve to take priority in their lives.
If we exalt our job, our finances, our possessions, or even our family or anything else above Christ we sin. Only when Jesus is our first priority can we be truly successful in God’s eyes at being a spouse, father, mother, son, daughter, employee, church member, or friend. Only when we are learning from the Lord and leaning on the Lord can we serve the Lord in any lasting and effective way.
Scripture References: Hebrews 12:15, 1 John 4:20, Psalm 115:3, 1 Peter 4:10, Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Peter 3:7, Luke 8:34, Matthew 16:16, John 11:21-27
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, I want to give some hope for those who might struggle as we have seen Martha struggle today.
Although we see Martha’s sin rebuked in our account today, she would go on to make one of only two of the greatest professions of Christ’s deity in the Gospels!
Peter professes Jesus is the Christ in Matthew 16:16. Yet, we see Martha do the same in John 11:21-27. Listen to her great faith in Jesus as she converses with Him about Lazarus, her brother, who had recently died.
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Don’t miss this last verse - verse 27.
She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Wow, my friends. Martha eventually figured out how to choose the best over the good. She came to an understanding of what really mattered most - and that was Jesus Christ.
Have you?
Have you come to an understanding that there is nothing greater or more important than Jesus Christ and His Word?
If not, may today be the day where you change that. Ask the Lord to help you make Him your number one priority.
Closing