Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 10 : 38-42 ( Cf. Luke 8:1-3) "A WELCOME RESPITE"
Day 129 – Luke 10
Text: Luke 10 : 38-42 ( Cf. Luke 8:1-3)
A WELCOME RESPITE
The Lord Jesus had taught His Disciples that when they were sent out on a Missions trip, they must trust that they would be provided for. There would be those who would open up their homes to them. The worthy occupants would welcome them and provide for their needs (Luke 9:3-4; 10:5-7).
Even as Jesus taught, He sought to practise what He preached. Luke recorded how Jesus…
“…entered a certain village;
and a certain woman named Martha
welcomed Him into her house.
And she had a sister called Mary,
Who also sat at Jesus’ feet
And heard His word.”
Luke 10:38-39
From the reading of other Gospels, particularly the Gospel of John, we know that Jesus came to love this special little family (Cf. John 11. In John’s Gospel, we also learn that Lazarus, Mary and Martha lived in a village called Bethany).
We have a rare and beautiful picture of how Jesus conducted Himself in a home. Luke’s wording of this incident, “a certain village”; “a certain woman named Martha” and “she had a sister called Mary” would suggest to us that this incident took place in the home of a new friendship with this family!
“BUT MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED WITH MUCH SERVING…” Luke 10:40
Two sisters, and yet so different from each other. Martha was overjoyed that The Teacher would come to her home. She busied herself to look after His physical needs (and that of His Disciples who traveled with Him).
Martha’s home was a welcome respite for The Master. Martha was determined that she would outdo herself to provide a meal that would never be forgotten! Jesus deserved nothing but the very best! She was determined that she would give the best to her beloved Master!
As she scurried here and there, she became “worried and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41). Martha could not help but feel a sense of resentment that Mary did not help her at all. Surely, Mary must know WHO their Guest was! How could she just sit there and listen to Jesus teaching His Disciples! Why, any good Jewish young lady would know that her place is in the kitchen cooking up a storm for the most important Guest that they would ever entertain!
Finally, not being able to stand it anymore, she approached Jesus and said,
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?
Therefore, tell her to help me.”
Luke 10:40
A POTENTIAL DOMESTIC DISASTER
How did the Lord Jesus respond to this potentially volatile domestic squabble? Two sisters, and both were “right” in what they were doing! Martha was not wrong in wanting to provide a good meal for the Lord Jesus! There was no rebuke from the lips of the Lord Jesus to this industrious woman who opened up her home to Him and His Disciples.
On the other hand, Mary could not be rebuked for wanting to listen to the teachings of the Master. She did not mean to be lazy! However, once she started listening to Jesus teaching the Word of God, she focused full attention to what He taught! Nothing was more wonderful than to hear the beautiful voice of her beloved Master. Nothing could be more precious than the words of eternal life that flowed from His lips!
Little squabbles in the home are sparked by minor complains! One sister complains against another. Who was right? How should one respond?
These were probably some of the problems that the Disciples encountered when they were sent out to the cities and villages to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God!
“PEACE TO THIS HOUSE…”
The Lord Jesus had taught the Disciples how to proclaim “Peace” to the house that had opened its doors to them. The Lord Jesus was mindful that He must promote peace in this lovely household that had opened its doors to Him and His Disciples.
Gently and peaceably, Jesus spoke to Martha. With deep affection, He said,
“Martha, Martha, you are worried
and troubled about many things.”
Luke 10:41
The gentleness of the Lord Jesus is evidenced in the way he addressed Martha. The repeating of her name, “Martha, Martha” is an ancient way of expressing tender affection. (Remember how the Lord called Samuel. He said, “Samuel, Samuel!” 1 Samuel 3:10).
Martha was not wrong in her desire to serve the Lord. However, in her zeal and industry, she had lost some focus. She became caught up with “many things” and she allowed herself to become “worried and troubled”.
Had she continued to serve without being “worried and troubled about many things”, the Lord Jesus would not have spoken these words to her.
The words of the Lord Jesus were carefully chosen and uttered! Already there was tension in the house. Martha was determined to get Jesus on her side. She wanted Jesus to order Mary to help her with the household chores!
“MARY HAS CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART, WHICH WILL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER.” Luke 10:42
The Lord desires to bring peace to a home. However, the love for truth must not be sacrificed for the sake of peace. It was difficult to walk between raindrops and still be dry! Jesus did just that! His Presence and His Words brought Peace. However, He also managed to teach an important truth to Martha, Mary and all present! The “good part…” then and now, is to give priority to the learning of deep spiritual truths!