Luke 10:38-42 (New International Version)New International Version (NIV)Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
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Laurie's Sunday, May 22, 2005, Response:

The excitement of having Jesus into your home! Can you just imagine? I believe that Mary and Martha already knew Jesus because of the bold way that she presented her case to the Lord. Lazarus was their brother, right? Jesus wept when he died, so we know the ladies knew Him as well.

Martha was so sweet to open her home to Jesus and His disciples. I doubt it was a scheduled stop, but she was willing to serve right there on the spot. Are you that way or do you have to really think about things before you do them? I have the gift of hospitality, but I am uncomfortable hostessing large parties of people. I ponder it and worry over it almost to the point of hyperventilation. When I am a co-hostess, the burden is considerably less. When Martha opened her home to Him, do you think she did this with the expectation of Mary helping her prepare and serve, perhaps just having the expectation and not telling Mary she needed her help, and then just getting flat out mad when she didn't?

And what about Mary? I wonder what she thought when Martha opened her home to Jesus and His followers. I wonder if she thought, "Yay! Jesus is coming here. He's so great and wise. I can't wait to sit at his feet in an informal setting and just soak up His wise words of wisdom! That was so sweet of Martha to ask them in!"

Hmmmmm...........

My prayer is this: Lord, I praise You for the opportunities I have to learn so much about You through the interactions and personalities of these two ladies, as well as Your wise words to Martha. Help me ponder them in my heart and as I read the chapter and begin some more indepth study tomorrow and throughout the week. Lay the truths You have ready for me to learn on my heart and let me put those truths into practice. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8).

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May this be me, today and each day that comes. I want to be productive for Jesus. I pray that each of these qualities will manifest themselves in me and that I would take careful note to grow them as I need them.