The Tale of Two Sisters

Luke 10:38-42  (NLT)

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 

42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

It doesn't say that Martha made a bad decision.  

Have you ever made a good decision rather than making a better one?  

Martha opened her home, but Mary opened her heart.  

We must not settle to merely reach the place of prayer, but not the position of prayer which is at the feet of Jesus.  

Martha was distracted with the preparations of dinner, but Mary was having fellowship with Jesus.  

Martha was focused upon ministering to Jesus, but Mary was focused upon receiving from Jesus.  

The enemy uses good things to distract us from our primary mission which is souls.  People can go to heaven and miss hell.  

We must first engage with God.  

The story began at the humble home of Martha, and Mary sat at the dusty feet of Jesus on Martha's dirt floor.  

Now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Lord God Almighty on a heavenly throne.  That's the place where we now listen to His every word. 

Today on Saturday, we sit at His feet seeking His face like Mary.  Sunday, we will serve Him like Martha.  

Martha's problem was in the order.  We must first seek His face like Mary.  Then, we must serve Him like Martha reaching people.

Brian Bagwell, Church of the Highlands, Oxford Campus