Luke 10:1-42
There are three different themes in this chapter. Luke begins by talking about the ministry of the 70, he then describes Christ's encounter with a ruler who inspires the parable of the Good Samaritan and he ends with the encounter of Mary and Martha. I am not sure that these three events depend on one another to form some body of teaching or even that they go together at all. But each of them teach us important lessons and that is what we are here to see.
THE PLEASURES AND PERILS OF PREACHING: The seventy were sent out from city to city and given authority to minister to the needs of the people as well as preach. This work has it's perils. Some places do not want to hear. Some families will not cooperate. Those who reject the message can be a source of, not only frustration, but persecution. However, the ministry affords great pleasures. Many people appreciate the truth and give of their time, homes, friendship and resources to meet the needs of the ministers of Christ. The friendships and relationships that the ministers of Christ enjoy are pleasures that make the ministry a source of great joy. However, the greatest joy is to see people's lives being transformed by the power of Christ. There is no greater joy in the world than that of participating in God's work of setting men free from the chains of sin.
THE PROOF AND PRACITCALITY OF LOVE: It is easy to claim love of God and neighbor. It is quite another thing to prove it through one's actions. The ruler knew that he should love and he was able to identify love's demonstration in Christ's illustration. However, I seriously doubt that he was practicing this love in a practical way. Loving, serving and helping people is usually not very convenient. It will cost time, money and energy. It will require stepping out of one's comfort zone, risking security and ignoring prejudice. I am sure that the religious leaders who ignored the needs of the unfortunate man who was laying by the side of the road had preached many sermons on love. They know the importance of love but they had no true love in their hearts. May we learn to speak less about the importance of love and begin to show true love in practical ways. We might get our hands dirty in the process, but that is usually the prerequisite for having loving hearts.
THE PLACE AND PRIORITY OF WORSHIP: Jesus came to Mary and Martha's home. Martha wanted to be sure that He was comfortable, give Him the best meal and for the house to be spotless. Mary wanted to spend time with Christ and soak in every word she could while He was in their home. I wonder where I would have been in this picture. I have a real strong suspicion that I would have been clanging pots and pans in the kitchen and giving Mary dirty looks for not helping. I suspect many of us would fall into that same category. It is easy for us to get so busy "doing" things "for Christ" that we have little or no time for "being" in fellowship "with Christ." We think that we have to make a choice between working and worshiping. The truth is, that our work ought to be done as an act and in the spirit of worship. Had Martha had this attitude, she may have done all of the same things while keeping alert to hear all she could. She would have rejoiced at the honor of serving Christ and been thrilled that her efforts were affording Mary the opportunity to sit at the feet of Christ. Worship must always be the priority of our lives whether we are sitting in silence or standing in service. Both, when done as an act of worship will be a source of great joy.
THE PLEASURES AND PERILS OF PREACHING: The seventy were sent out from city to city and given authority to minister to the needs of the people as well as preach. This work has it's perils. Some places do not want to hear. Some families will not cooperate. Those who reject the message can be a source of, not only frustration, but persecution. However, the ministry affords great pleasures. Many people appreciate the truth and give of their time, homes, friendship and resources to meet the needs of the ministers of Christ. The friendships and relationships that the ministers of Christ enjoy are pleasures that make the ministry a source of great joy. However, the greatest joy is to see people's lives being transformed by the power of Christ. There is no greater joy in the world than that of participating in God's work of setting men free from the chains of sin.
THE PROOF AND PRACITCALITY OF LOVE: It is easy to claim love of God and neighbor. It is quite another thing to prove it through one's actions. The ruler knew that he should love and he was able to identify love's demonstration in Christ's illustration. However, I seriously doubt that he was practicing this love in a practical way. Loving, serving and helping people is usually not very convenient. It will cost time, money and energy. It will require stepping out of one's comfort zone, risking security and ignoring prejudice. I am sure that the religious leaders who ignored the needs of the unfortunate man who was laying by the side of the road had preached many sermons on love. They know the importance of love but they had no true love in their hearts. May we learn to speak less about the importance of love and begin to show true love in practical ways. We might get our hands dirty in the process, but that is usually the prerequisite for having loving hearts.
THE PLACE AND PRIORITY OF WORSHIP: Jesus came to Mary and Martha's home. Martha wanted to be sure that He was comfortable, give Him the best meal and for the house to be spotless. Mary wanted to spend time with Christ and soak in every word she could while He was in their home. I wonder where I would have been in this picture. I have a real strong suspicion that I would have been clanging pots and pans in the kitchen and giving Mary dirty looks for not helping. I suspect many of us would fall into that same category. It is easy for us to get so busy "doing" things "for Christ" that we have little or no time for "being" in fellowship "with Christ." We think that we have to make a choice between working and worshiping. The truth is, that our work ought to be done as an act and in the spirit of worship. Had Martha had this attitude, she may have done all of the same things while keeping alert to hear all she could. She would have rejoiced at the honor of serving Christ and been thrilled that her efforts were affording Mary the opportunity to sit at the feet of Christ. Worship must always be the priority of our lives whether we are sitting in silence or standing in service. Both, when done as an act of worship will be a source of great joy.
Gary, this account of Martha and Mary has always bothered me. As I went through it again this morning in my Daily Bread devotion, I again questioned God about it. I have always been a Mary, in neglecting my duties and responsibilities to "sit at His feet" studying Scripture. I did not understand how Martha was to balance what needed to be done with Mary's total neglect of the needed work to be accomplished in order to get a meal on in those days, when they couldn't just open a can or call out for pizza. Thank you for your thoughts on this, you have helped me. Bless you.
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