Luke 10:38-4238Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. 40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38‑42)
Part 2
Here we have words for hearts to cherish and obey, placed above service that hands may render. His Word expresses His will, before which the fairest of seemingly pious expressions of self-will earn but condemnation.
To hear Jesus is the “one thing needful.” Martha’s “many things” would only end in disappointment for her and for Him. The hearing ear for His Word ever delighted and glorified Him, and still does so (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 227He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7)
11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. (Revelation 2:11)
17He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)
29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:29)
6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:6)
13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:13)
22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:22)).
We are told (Col. 3:2323And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; (Colossians 3:23)) that “whatsoever” we do is taken account of. The motive determines whether valuable or worthless. Self-occupation is the death blow to all true service, for as with Martha, it leads to our judging others (her sister), having no good word for them; souring instead of sweetening our spirits.
Martha’s “my,” “me,” “me,” “dost Thou not care?” (v. 40), betray the unrest of soul within, and the lack of such needful preparation, for true service as occupation with Him and lowly attention to His word would afford. Let us contemplate the significant difference between Martha distracted and Mary attracted, and learn, as Martha did, to serve acceptably as in John 12:22There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. (John 12:2).
Heavenly motives in smallest things, lift meanest drudgery of daily life to highest service, and earn His loving commendation rather than rebuke.
When no longer “cumbered,” Martha’s service gladdened the Lord, and won an honored place in the imperishable record of that blessed Bethany household, each an object of the love of Christ and heartily responsive to it. Note how naturally their message to the Lord as to Lazarus reads, “him whom Thou lovest;” still equally true of every child of God.
His love led our glorious Lord to enter Martha’s lowly “home,” and sacred words from His blessed lips corrected her faulty service as the sequel shows, for we read in John 12 that “Martha served,” the record of divine approval when all the work connected with the supper she lovingly prepared was performed for “Him.”
The heart set right, drawn by the constraining love of Christ, ears, hands and feet were governed to suit Him, and were no longer moved by self-occupation or her unbroken will. As listening to the Lord expressing His tender heart’s desires for His loved ones, in true lowliness “at His feet” humbly hearing and heeding His Word, who could read John 13; 14; 15; 16; 17, and fail to render responsive service in hearty compliance with His will?
(To be continued)