By Patsy Norwood ©
2024 All Rights Reserved!
Lesson 1
Luke 10: 38-42 (NKJV)
Last week in our introduction, we laid the foundation, the
groundwork and background for this study.
This week we’re going to jump right in keeping in mind what we learned
last week.
Let’s get started …
38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a
village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.
This scene most likely took place during a short visit to
Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication and we know from last week’s lesson that
the name of the village was Bethany and that it was located about 2 miles
outside of Jerusalem.
Who are the ‘they’ mentioned in this verse? In Luke 10:23, we
see that Jesus’ disciples were with Him, did they accompany Him into the house
of Mary, Martha and Lazarus or did Jesus’ steal away for a visit with this
trio? The Bible doesn’t tell us.
Just like that, Martha opens the door and invites Jesus in??? While researching this verse, I kept asking
myself if Jesus knew Mary, Martha and Lazarus before He appeared at their
door. By Martha’s response in this verse,
it seems He did. In fact, it seems that
they were all very close friends and comfortable with each other.
Those thoughts led me to ponder how long they had known each
other, that kind of intimacy in relationships doesn’t develop overnight, it
takes time. The Bible doesn’t give us
any of those details and neither does any secular history that I’ve found. However, taking into consideration what we
learned about Jewish hospitality in the introduction, it seems highly possible and
probable that their relationship was a long standing one. Could a chance meeting have thrown them all
together at some point in the past for the first time or could Mary, Martha and
Lazarus have ‘heard’ about Jesus and wanting to learn more opened their home to
Him and possibly His disciples? We
simply don’t know how long they had known each other or how they met. What we do know though is that their
relationship resulted in providing a place for Jesus to rest and feel
comfortable in, a base to come and go from as needed and an oasis from the
crowds.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who was also
seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to His word.
We jump from Jesus being welcomed at the door by Martha to
Mary being seated at the Lord’s feet. (This also makes me think that Jesus’
relationship with Mary, Martha and Lazarus was not a new one.)
Did they know Jesus was coming for a visit? Had someone come ahead to let Mary and Martha
know that He was on his way to their house?
We don’t know, the Bible doesn’t tell us.
Did you notice that this verse says ‘who was also seated
at the Lord’s feet’ … was there someone else sitting at the Lord’s feet
besides Mary? Again, the Bible doesn’t
tell us, but we know that Mary was there seemingly eager to soak up every word
Jesus said.
‘Seated
at the Lord’s feet’ could mean two things: (1) the location
where Mary was seated and/or (2) listening and taking in everything that was
being said by our Lord. Personally, I
think it was both.
40 But Martha was distracted with all her
preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord,
do You not care that my sister has left me to do the serving by myself? Then
tell her to help me.”
“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me
to do the serving by myself? Then tell her to help me.” … this statement adds to my
thinking that Mary, Martha, Lazarus and Jesus were not new acquaintances. I can’t
image going up to a first time, new acquaintance in my home and asking that
question in that manner, can you?
Not everyone was ‘seated at the
Lord’s feet!’ Martha was in ‘HOSTESS’
mode and not happy that Mary was not, so much so, that she reprimanded Mary for
not helping her right there in front of whoever might have been there. Do you think Mary cringed at Martha’s words;
I can’t help but wonder about how she took the rebuke from her sister?
I understand Martha’s heart for wanting to do the very best
she could for the Lord, but I think this would have been one of those times
when a different plan for feeding and caring for those present would have been
better.
41 – 42 But
the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and
distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen
the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
While Jesus didn’t agree or disagree with what Martha said, He
did draw attention to the fact that Mary was attending to a higher and more
important duty … making time for the word of the Lord. Let that sink in!
This excerpt from the Coffman commentary on Luke sums up the
message of this whole passage quite well …
Much of the failure of modern Christianity lies in
the fact that Christians are busy with all kinds of things, many of them
important and necessary, of course; but yet they have no time for the word of
the Lord.
Again, let that sink in!
Looking back over this passage of Scripture with Mary in mind
we see that:
She had a choice, and she chose
the better.
She was
reprimanded openly in front of others.
She was
willing to take rebuke in order to sit at the Lord’s feet.
The Lord
intervened on her behalf.
She loved
and was dedicated to the Lord.
She was
eager to learn.
This week we saw Mary ‘choose the better’ at a supper in her
home, next week, we’re going to see Mary ‘choose the better’ in a completely
different situation.
I hope you’ve enjoyed today's lesson. Don't forget to leave a comment and if you're
enjoying this study, please share the link with other ladies who you think
might enjoy it as well.
Until the next class …
patsy @ From This Heart of Mine
Sources used for this study:
Various translations of the Holy
Bible
Various commentaries
Dictionary of New Testament
Background, Editors: Craig A Evans & Stanley E. Porter
Archaeological Study Bible
All the Women of the Bible by
Edith Deen
Daughters of Eve by Lottie Beth
Hobbs
Halley’s Bible Handbook by H. H.
Halley
Who’s Who in the Bible by Philip
Comfort & Walter A. Elwell
