D. Mary and Martha.

1. (38-40) Martha’s appeal to Jesus.

Now it happened as they went that He 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. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached
Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell
her to help me.”

a. (38) A certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house: Martha and Mary,
along with their brother Lazarus, were two dear friends of Jesus who lived in Bethany. It’s
easy to imagine that Martha wanted everything perfect when Jesus came to visit.

b. Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word: Martha didn’t get the help she wanted
from her sister Mary. Q? It wasn’t that Mary was lazy – she prepared as well as Martha, but
Mary also sat at Jesus’ feet.

HER POSTURE

i. “This was the posture of the Jewish scholars, while listening to the instructions of the
rabbins. It is in this sense that St. Paul says he was brought up at the FEET of Gamaliel, Acts
22:3.” (Clarke)

c. Martha was distracted with much serving: Martha did nothing wrong in working hard for
Jesus – that was good. Her problem was that she became distracted with much serving. She
was distracted from Jesus.

i. There are many people who become irritable in their service for the Lord like
Martha was. It is easy to look at all we do and to criticize those who don’t seem to
do as much.
 But Martha’s real problem wasn’t Mary; it was Martha. She had become distracted
and had taken her eyes off Jesus.
ii. Martha’s frustration is typical of those who diligently serve with good intent, but forget to
also sit at Jesus’ feet. “The Martha spirit says, if the work is done, is not that all? The Mary
spirit asks whether Jesus is well pleased or no? All must be done in his name and by his Spirit, or
nothing is done.” (Spurgeon)

2. (41-42) Jesus’ reply to Martha.

And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about
many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be
taken away from her.”

a. Martha, Martha:
Abraham! Abraham! – Genesis 22:11-13
Jacob! Jacob! – Genesis 46:1-4
Moses! Moses! – Exodus 3:1-10
Samuel! Samuel! – 1Samuel 3:1-10
Simon! Simon! – Luke 22:31-32
Saul! Saul! – Acts 9

We can almost sense the love in Jesus’ voice as He said this. Martha did good – she wanted to
serve Jesus; but she had not added the one thing[that] is needed. The Bible speaks of one
thing.

ONE THING IN THE BIBLE

 Philippians 3:13
 Joshua 23:14
 Psalm 27:4
 Luke 18:22

iv. “The one thing needful evidently is that which Mary chose — that good part which should
not be taken away from her. Very clearly this was to sit at Jesus’ feet, and hear his word.”
(Spurgeon)

1. To sit at the feet of Jesus implies readiness to accept and obey what Jesus teaches.
 2. To sit at the feet of Jesus implies submission to Jesus; rebellion is done with.

GO AND HUMBLE YOURSELF – GENESIS 16:4,7-9

3. To sit at the feet of Jesus implies faith in who Jesus is.

4. To sit at the feet of Jesus implies discipleship.
5. To sit at the feet of Jesus implies love.

v. “If we would be strong for service in the strength that prevents distraction and unrest, we
must know what it is to find time amid all the duties of life to sit at His feet as disciples.”
(Morgan)

vi. “The way to get the revival is to begin at the Master’s feet; you must go there with Mary
and afterwards you may work with Martha.” (Spurgeon)

b. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her: Mary’s good part
was her simple devotion to Jesus, loving Him by listening to His word. This was Mary’s chosen
focus.

JESUS WORDS – JOHN 10:28-29

THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE SERVING GOD

ii. One might say that this account from the life of Jesus shows us three types of those who
say they follow Jesus Christ.

1. There are people like Mary: Those who know how to serve and also sit at Jesus’ feet.
2. There are people like Martha: Those who diligently, and with the best intention serve
God, but without adding the one thing – a continued focus on Jesus – and it results in
great frustration.
3. There are people who don’t do either. They are not even in the house with Jesus, for
they are too busy with their own pursuits.