Luke 10: 38-42 | July 25, 2010

The hymn we just sang says something that cannot be said enough in this world where we are tempted to put God’s Word after all kinds of other things instead of before.  Think again about the words of this hymn that recall the lesson Jesus taught dear Martha.

One thing’s needful; Lord, this treasure, teach me highly to regard….

This hymn was written by Johann Schroeder more than 300 years ago.  Schroeder was a Lutheran pastor in Germany.  Six months after he was ordained a pastor, his wife died. Three years into his ministry, Schroeder’s body was laid to rest at the age of 32.

When you combine this hymn with the shortness of his life, it preaches a powerful sermon.  It preaches a powerful sermon to us who busy ourselves with so many things that seem so important.

Yet who of us knows when our last hour will come?  Maybe those things that we let crowd out God’s Word are not so important after all.  Maybe I’ve let them keep me from sitting and reading and listening to Jesus’ Word.  Maybe I’ve let those things distract me and my family from the one thing needful – the words of my Savior.

So we pray:  Lord Jesus, thank you for teaching us this morning. Help us to listen to these words you spoke so lovingly to Martha that day.  Help us to give your Word its’ rightful place in our hearts and lives.  One things needful Lord, this treasure, teach me highly to regard. Amen.

So this morning, as we think about Mary and Martha, the Holy Spirit invites us:

Come and Sit at Jesus’ feet
I.  Leave behind those distracting cares.
II.  Listen to the saving words of Jesus.

Jesus had come to the small village of Bethany about two miles from Jerusalem.  Two sisters lived there, Mary and Martha.  You remember that they had a brother named Lazarus get sick and die.  This was the Lazarus that Jesus would raise to life just before he gave his own for you and me.

Mary and Martha were both disciples of Jesus. It seems that whenever Jesus was in the area they opened their homes to him.  They fed Jesus and his disciples and game them a place to stay.

On this day, Jesus came into Martha’s home.  Let’s say something about Martha. She wasn’t the kind of believer content to hide in the background and let others pull her weight.  She loved the Lord and wanted to serve him.  So when Jesus entered her house, she got right to work.  You can just picture Martha in the kitchen, feverishly kneading the dough, checking and stirring the pots, maybe roasting some meat. This is going to be more than a good meal. it’s going to be special.  He’s going to have the best we can offer.

We can learn something from  Martha here.  You see, Martha was a devoted follower of the Lord. No doubt she was happy to offer the Lord this service.  In our congregation, we would call her a committed member.

But something began to bother Martha.  Why is my sister not helping me?  Why is she sitting out there with Jesus?  Doesn’t she know that there’s work to be done if we’re going to fix the Lord this special meal?!

So out she comes, probably storming, fuming, all upset.  That sister of mine. She’s left me to do it all. She’s so annoyed  she gets on the Lord’s case. Lord, don’t you care? In other words, Lord straighten her out.

Let me ask you.  Do you find yourself siding with Martha at least a little bit?  It’s annoying when someone doesn’t pitch in.  But the Lord doesn’t scold Mary like she’s some kind of deadbeat.  Instead he surprises Martha with these words:  “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, ⁴² but one thing is necessary.

You see, Martha let herself get herself worked up and distracted from what is most important. Of course,  serving the Lord is good. But when the choice came between serving the Lord and letting Jesus serve her with his Word, Martha made the wrong choice.  She let herself be distracted.

Think about that.  The Greek word for distracted literally means to be dragged away.  Martha let herself be distracted and so can we. We can be distracted from our Savior and what he offers  even as we seek to serve him and one another.

Yet  it seems to me that we usually are distracted by other things.   We let ourselves get dragged away to things that would otherwise be good.  Dragged away from worship, dragged away from Bible study.   I need to get my homework done.  My children want to be in sports.  The lawn needs attention.  I need to study.  I worked hard this week -The best thing I can do is rest.  My friends or relatives are coming. By the way, before I was a pastor, when family or friends were with us on Sunday, we told them we go to church on Sunday morning.  You’re welcome to come or stay here, but that’s what we do on Sunday morning.

I hope you see my point. That list of potential distracters goes on and on, doesn’t it?   It goes on and on, if we let it. But don’t let. Don’t let these things drag you away.  The lawn can wait, the sports, that extra pay, the studies, the cares and concerns of this life can wait.  For think about it:  In all the years I have visited people in the hospital, not once has anyone complained to me:   I’ve been too close to the Lord. I’ve come to church too often.  I’ve read my Bible too much.   If anything that person has regretted being too far away from the Lord and his Word.  So leave behind those distracting cares.  Come and sit at Jesus’ feet.  Come and listen to his saving Word.

When you first picture these two dear Christian ladies, you might think that Martha was the sensible, hardworking one, Mary, she was the lazy sister. For what did Mary choose?  She chose to sit and listen rather than do the work of getting the meal ready and the table set.

Yet Mary wasn’t some lazy sister looking to avoid pitching in.  She made a choice and the Lord commended her for it. Mary chose to listen to the Word of her Savior. Well today Jesus sets Mary before us as an example.  He tells Martha. He tells us. Mary has chosen what is better.

For it might sound surprising but it’s true.  The best service we can offer to God is this – to sit and listen, treasure and believe the word of his Son, Jesus Christ.  The best service we can give to God is to let Jesus serve us with his Word.

Think about it.  Why did Jesus come to this earth?  Why did the Son of God become one of us?  He tells us in Matthew chapter 20:  He came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. (28) Jesus came to serve us by rescuing us from the judgment we deserved to death and a real place called hell. He came to live and die for us to make it possible for sinners like us to become part of God’s forever family.  And now the Son of God serves us by offering us the riches of his grace in his saving Word.

So Jesus told Martha what is true for each one of us.  Only one thing is needed. One thing is needed above all else. And that is this.  To hear the words of Jesus and learn of him.  For everything else will spoil and fade.  Everything else can satisfy only for a time. Everything else will one day perish.  But NOT Jesus’ word and not what you have in Him.  God’s love and forgiveness, the hope  promised in his Word. It could not be taken away from Mary.  It cannot be taken away from you.

There came a time in Jesus’ ministry when many who once followed turned away from Jesus. They no longer followed.  You can read about it in John chapter 6.  On that occasion, Jesus turned to the twelve and asked them:  You do not want to leave too, do you? St Peter answered:  Lord to whom shall we go.  You have the words of eternal life. (67,68)

Peter had it right didn’t he?  So did Mary.  They chose what is better.  You do the same.  Leave behind those distracting cares and concerns .  Come and sit at Jesus’ feet.  Hear his Word in worship, in Bible class, at home.  Listen to the words of your Savior.  Amen.