Today’s text shows the priority of priorities, which is to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. Only then can a person believe and follow after Christ as Savior and Lord. The setting demonstrates what discipleship looks like and the importance of devotion before service. The question all Christians need to ask is if they follow Jesus Christ. If they follow, they must seek God’s Word and seek God’s kingdom and his righteousness first.
When Jesus arrived and spent time at Martha and Mary’s home, Mary showed what must be the highest priority as she “was also seated at the Lord’s feet, and was listening to his word” (v 39). Mary knew what was of utmost importance, which was to be near the Lord Jesus Christ and listen to his every word. Mary was Jesus’ disciple and she also showed her total surrender and love for the Lord no matter what the circumstances might be.
Martha was distracted, encumbered, and preoccupied with something that was secondary mistakenly thinking that that would be pleasing to the Lord. Martha’s psychology is revealed in this text as Luke describes what is happening. Luke shows that Martha made the wrong choice as he begins verse 40 with ‘But’. Martha should have been entirely focused on the Lord and his words, but she “was distracted with all her preparations” (v 40).
Martha failed to focus on her relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ. Martha emphasized her service more than her relationship to Christ. Martha’s mistake was thinking that she could improve her relationship with the Lord by doing work for him rather than listening to his words.
Martha’s distraction caused her to lose her sense of joy. She even complained to the Lord if he did not care that Mary was not helping her in all her preparations (v 40). If Christians fail to heed to God’s word, they will inevitably serve joylessly. When believers seek the Lord first, their joy remains in all circumstances.
Martha gently but wrongly accused Jesus. Martha accused the Lord as a careless God, which is a serious charge. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares about his sheep more than anything else. The Shepherd is always leading, fighting, caring, and praying for the sheep. But, Martha accuses Jesus that he does not care about Mary leaving Martha to do the serving by herself (v 40).
Martha failed to know the will of God. Martha says to Jesus, “Then tell her to help me” (v40). But the Lord Jesus responds by telling Martha that she is not seeking the Lord’s will in this situation. On the contrary, Jesus points to Mary’s love and devotion to the Lord. To know the will of God is related to a person’s holiness. Martha’s love for the Lord was mixed with her love for the world.
Martha committed a sinful worry. Martha tried to figure out things herself rather than consulting with the word of God. She did not chase after consultation to increase her sanctification. Only if she sat at Jesus’ feet would she have avoided being worried.
Martha was bothered by many things. This attitude and heart manifested the tumultuous and turbulent worried heart that resulted in external agitation. The world and the things of the world unceasingly distract those who do not put the Lord first.
Martha’s biggest problem was that she could not pray biblically. Biblical prayer was impossible for Martha because she failed to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to his word. Prayer is another means of communion with the Lord for believers. Worship and devoted reading of God’s word to truly know God more is accomplished in continuous communion with him. But Martha’s vital issue was that she failed to heed God’s word, which led to unbiblical prayer. Moreover, prayer is an echo of what goes on in the heart.
In contrast to Martha, Christians must continually devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42). This is the only way to avoid the same mistake that Martha made. Therefore, first things first must be total devotion to God’s word, then everything else will follow in submission to the Lord’s will and his glory.
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