The Lord’s prayer begins with addressing God as our Father. Whenever we pray we must see God as our Father who is perfect, divine, holy, loving, and infinite. The first petition to our Father in heaven is ‘Hallowed be Your name’. God has many wonderful names and we worship Him according to His attributes. The second petition is ‘Your kingdom come’. This petition is actually the point of Jesus’ coming to earth, to bring the kingdom of God.

What is the kingdom of God?

First, the kingdom of God the Father is the same as the kingdom of Jesus the Son. Like the kingdom of God, the kingdom of Jesus is eternal and both the Father and the Son are working (2 Peter 1:11, John 5:17-18). It is very clear that Jesus claimed to be God the Son and with the same kingdom. All the different terms for the kingdom are just different ways to refer to the kingdom of God for different audiences.

Generally speaking, all of God’s creation is God’s kingdom because God is sovereign. He owns and rules over all things (Psalm 103:19). Narrowly speaking is the spiritual rule over the hearts and minds of those who submit to His authority. In other words, every Christian who has the Holy Spirit in their heart is the kingdom of God. The signs of a Christian are one who repents and believes in the Gospel of Jesus Christ who obeys and honors God with their lives and follows the rules of God’s government. Before we are American or a citizen of any country, the identity of a Christian is a citizen of the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God also refers to the future millennial kingdom as it is mentioned in Daniel 2:44 and Revelation 20:4. This is the future nation where Jesus will be physically reigning on earth for 1000 years in Jerusalem and His eternal kingdom.

Jesus ushers in the beginning of the kingdom of God (Luke 11:20). By His miracles and gospel message He brought the kingdom of God from heaven to earth. The same applies to us, as we heard the gospel of Jesus and the Holy Spirit entered our hearts, then we entered the kingdom of God. That is why we trust and obey Him. We have nothing to fear in this world because our king is Jesus. He is the great and mighty King who stands strong which means we can also stand strong in any situation. So we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23) because He is our King. It is by denying ourselves and following Him His gracious and loving rule that is manifested in our lives.

We must remember what we all once were before we were in the kingdom of God. We were under the kingdom of Satan (John 8:44). Even if we were moral and upright on the outside, our true identity as sinners belonged to Satan, full of guilt and shame.

Kingdom of Grace

The kingdom of God has two aspects. The first is His power, His complete control over all things. An example of God’s power is in the life of Joseph (Genesis 50:20). He is the king who changes things according to His will.

The other aspect of God’s kingdom is God’s grace which is presented here by Jesus in ‘Your kingdom come’. The reality of God’s grace and redemption through the coming of Jesus. Jesus came to save the people from their sins. Jesus is the Messianic king who came to redeem God’s people for the kingdom. Why would Jesus give up His heavenly position, live a life of suffering, be betrayed by his own disciples, and die on the cross? So he could rescue and redeem His people. We didn’t deserve to be redeemed. This only happens by God’s grace. Jesus brings the kingdom of God, this was why He came.

Why is grace called a kingdom? Because, when grace comes, there is a kingly government set up in the soul. Grace rules the will and affections, and brings the whole man in subjection to Christ; it kings it in the soul, sways the scepter, subdues mutinous lusts, and keeps the soul in a spiritual decorum. – Thomas Watson

Jesus is the only way into the kingdom. There is no grace or hope with Jesus (Romans 9:3). Without Jesus there is no church. So the church must be like Jesus, bringing the kingdom of God into the world.

The priority of the kingdom in prayer

This petition comes as the second petition. It comes before our daily bread. True Christianity realizes the priority of God’s kingdom even before our needs and desires (Matthew 4:4). We seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first and then God will provide. The order matters. God’s kingdom is first because the kingdom is our eternal life. It is more important but also more valuable and wonderful.

Therefore it is our duty to pray for God’s kingdom to come. We must pray for the lost and salvation of sinners. Jesus did not come to bless us with wealth or fame. He came to redeem sinners. This is a fundamental existential truth in our lives as followers of Christ. Is food more important than the gospel? Ask yourself what matters most in your life. (Luke 9:25) It must be the kingdom of God and the gospel call. Do not be foolish and under the power of sin by living for this dying world (1 Timothy 6:7). Pray and live for the kingdom of God.

How do you know if you’re in the kingdom of God?

For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – Romans 14:17. You must be righteous to be in the kingdom of God. However, none of us are righteous. Not even the cutest baby is righteous. Many people confuse being spiritual with being righteous. None are righteous and can approach God. The only way to be righteous is to have the righteousness of Jesus imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can only be righteous in Jesus, and if we are righteous then we will also have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1). Only the righteousness of Jesus brings peace with God and the peace of God. This is why the righteous man can experience the love of God in any circumstance. In fact, the love of God is felt more deeply the tougher the situation we are in because we realize the superiority of Jesus and His gift of righteousness.

The invisible kingdom made invisible

It is the Christian’s duty to make the kingdom of God visible to others. They do so by obedience. Jesus revealed the kingdom of God through His obedience. While Jesus was dying on the cross, during that moment of humble obedience, the centurion witnessed the kingdom of God. The Christian might seem meek and humble on the inside but they are fortified and strong as they follow the will of God in obedience. People can see the power and glory of the kingdom through our obedience. Obedience makes the invisible visible.

To obey we must have a heavenly preoccupation. We are pilgrims here and our home is heaven (Colossians 3:1). So we must keep looking heavenward. From the moment we are saved we are transformed. Our king is now Jesus, our lives are righteous and obedient, and our home is in heaven. Our work is to go and make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:19). Therefore we pray for God’s kingdom to come (Matthew 29:19).

When praying, we need to know who we are addressing; that is, God the Father. And if we want to pray as Jesus did, he emphasizes six petitions to be included in our prayers. Before making the petitions, Jesus begins his prayer to the Father and considers him as the most sacred. In other words, Jesus is praying that the Father’s name is to be hallowed and lifted up in honor through prayer. 

In the Jewish culture, names had much more meaning as it was all the person was. God’s name is equated with his person and nature. It is his name we put our trust in him because of who he is (Ps. 9:10). An example is Jehovah Jireh, which means the Lord will provide. When Abraham had faith in God to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering to the Lord, he provided a ram who had his horns caught in the thicket of the bush that would take the place of his son (Gen. 22:13). 

The first petition begins with being occupied with the knowledge of God’s holiness. Beginning with this understanding will increase our confidence in the Lord as we pray. Holiness means to be set apart. When the prophet Isaiah saw a vision of God, his holiness caused him to say, “Woe is me, for I am ruined!” Even the seraphim demonstrates God’s holiness as they covered their face, and feet and flew with their wings in his presence (Isa. 6:1-2, 5). “God’s holiness embodies the mystery of his awesomeness and causes us to gaze in wonder at him as we begin to comprehend just a little of his majesty” (R.C. Sproul).

If we do not understand God’s holiness in prayer, we profane his name and take him lightly and too casually. When Moses did not believe him and treated God as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, God’s judgment came down on him and Israel (Num. 20:12-13). In addition, prayerlessness is also dishonored because the redeemed are liberated to pray unceasingly to the Father.

The second petition is to hold the Father’s holy name in awe. Unfortunately, many take the name of the Lord’s name in vain. Whether it is by using God’s name as a curse word or making careless swearing by his name, we must carefully consider using God’s holy name in vain. In contrast, we esteem the Father’s holy name in awe in worship and prayer. 

In whatever we do, we can worship God as we have been delivered from our sin to worship him and pray (Acts. 2:42). Worship includes adoration to God as we bless his holy name and lift him up on high as he alone is worthy. In prayer we not only address the holy Father, but prayer always leads us to confess our sins and repent for he is faithful to forgive (1 Jn. 1:9). God also shows his power to make us righteous as we repent.

Moreover, as we hold God’s holy name in the highest esteem, our prayers will become preaching to ourselves for our edification. And as we pray in this way, we are emboldened. 

The third petition is to approach prayer in personal holiness. Only holy people can pray in the way Jesus taught. “Holiness is nothing less than conformity to the character of God” (Jerry Bridges). Every Christian is holy because they have been justified by the Holy Spirit. But ongoing personal holiness is only possible when Christ is sanctified in their hearts. 

“The righteous man in James 5:16 is right with God practically in His daily life, whose ways please the Lord. If we walk not in separation from the world, if we deny not self, strive not against sin, mortify not our lusts, but gratify our carnal nature, is there any wonder that our prayer life is cold and formal and our petition unanswered” (A.W. Pink).

How can Christians continue to grow in holiness? Christ is able! And believing in him who saved us from our sins can help us as there is nothing too difficult to overcome.

One of the greatest gifts God has given to the world is fatherhood. A good father who raises their children well is a wonderful blessing to their family and to society. It has been said that a lack of fathers in the black community is a leading cause of the issues they face today such as gangs, violence, and crime. Fathers are important to each family and to society at large because of what they provide and do. It is amazing that Jesus when teaching His disciples to pray starts with ‘Father’.

The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray because they see Jesus work in all aspects of His life through prayer. Jesus is always praying. So Jesus tells them, “When you pray”. Prayer is the sign of a believer. A Christian can pray anytime in any situation. When you pray, you are to “say, ‘Father’”. Prayer is coming before God as a son before their father. The word “father” here has a sense of sweetness and closeness. There are so many grand words we can attribute to God but there is a special relationship captured in the word, “Father”. God is omnipotent, sovereign, holy, omniscient, infinite, sovereign, full of glory, and most of all, God is our Father.

Prayer is so important to our Christian life, yet it is often theologically misunderstood. Prayer is not just about getting what we want. It is the unfathomable privilege of communing with the sovereign God of the universe. Prayer brings the believer into the presence of God so we submit to His will and see His glory.

Some progressive Christians are teaching that everyone is a son of God. In one sense it is true because God is the Creator and all things find their source in God. But here in the Lord’s Prayer, God is the Father of those who have a saving relationship with Him. Only believers who are loved by God and love God can call God their Father (John 8:42,44). You must have received Jesus Christ, the son of God, and been adopted through the Holy Spirit, to be a child of God (John 1:11-12, Romans 8:14-15). If you are Christian, then you know God is your Father. Other religions might try to portray their gods as fathers, but they are false idols with no love or compassion. The God of the Bible is full of love, mercy, and kindness. He is our loving Father and, as His children, we are to be like Him.

The Father is approachable. As a believer, it is easy to enter into His presence. God is approachable because He never leaves you. Remember Jacob who was able to meet God in the middle of the wilderness. It shows God never leaves His chosen and He approaches us first so we can approach Him. If you have the desire then no matter what state you are in, God is ready for you (Luke 15:20). It doesn’t matter if you are a poor and smelly prodigal, the Father is waiting to embrace you and kiss you. Think about Jesus on the cross, the lowest point in history, carrying the sins of man, naked and bloody. While in that dire situation, He cries out to God (Matthew 27:46). Would God receive Jesus at this moment? Yet Jesus calls God, “Father” and surrenders His spirit (Luke 22:46). We know the Father heard Jesus’ prayer because God raised Him from the dead (Luke 24:5-6, Galatians 1:1). A prayer-less life is inexcusable when we have such a Father who is so approachable. We say “Father” in every circumstance whether in thanksgiving or need of help.

Our Father is mighty. He is a strong protector who is full of power and authority. Jesus came to earth as the son, and as a man, he was in constant need of the Father. Therefore Jesus prayed to the Father in His piety because Jesus knew God the Father was mighty to help Him (Hebrews 4:16,5:7). In the gospel of John, John says no one has seen God, except Jesus who is “in the bosom of the Father” and explained Him (John 1:18). One of the primary things we learn from the miracles in the Gospel of John is how mighty God is. God is truly all-powerful and able to do all things (John 42:2, Job 42:2). By faith, which is a gift from God, we know God is powerful and able to answer our prayers. However, we are warned by James to not contend with God in prayer but we are to ask in faith (James 4:2). Earnest prayer in faith calls God “Father” and submits to the Father’s will joyfully.

Our Father is relational. To be a father, he must have children. God’s children are adopted by Him (Ephesians 1:5). Adoption is central and core to Christianity. What a blessing to be adopted by God and call Him Father. This is our true joy. A Christian who does not pray still acts like an orphan. J I Packer says you do not understand Christianity at all if you do not God as Father. We are adopted and made co-heirs with Christ, one day to be glorified with Him (Romans 8:17). Though we are not worthy and deserving, we are adopted to the highest privilege and position based on God’s grace. How much grace we have received! So as children of grace, we show grace to the world.

Conclusion

How do you view the Father? Do you realize how good it is in your Father’s house? (Luke 15:17) Realize how good God is and how He gives good gifts. You are a co-heir with Jesus Christ! This is why it is joyful and exciting to pray, because we get to call God, “Father”. The eternal, everlasting God is our Father which means everything in our life is changed. Nothing will be the same because He loves us with everlasting love.

In part one of the current series on what prayer is, Pastor Paul has preached on three points. They are prayer is communication, prayer advances the Christian into another realm, and prayer is a gift for the children of God. In today’s text, three additional points will be covered on what prayer is as Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray.

Prayer is a primary weapon against Satan. In our minds, there’s a spiritual battle constantly happening. But we can also pray continuously in our minds and hearts. This is why Satan hates those who pray, and he is also afraid of those who pray. The Christian must pray unceasingly as the Holy Spirit continues to strengthen and equip us. 

In the church, it is important to pray for one another. We are all on the frontlines of spiritual warfare. What helps tremendously in our battles against the flesh, sin, the world, and the evil one is prayer.

When we pray according to the will of God, that is true prayer. The Apostle Peter denied Jesus three times because he depended on his own will and thinking rather than seeking the will of God in prayer. This command is a common occurrence in Scripture (1 Jn. 3:22, 24). Those who seek obedience to God’s word will pray God’s will more often than not. In other words, how much you’re closer to the Bible determines how much you pray and if it’s according to the will of God. And when God answers prayer, God will be glorified.

A high view of God and his word produces a man of obedience and prayer. As we draw nearer to the Lord and his word, we will 

Prayer is fellowship with God. There is a great calm in the hearts of those who commune with God through prayer. And in fellowship with God, we learn more about his love for us. 

Private prayer and fellowship with God also result in our desire for public prayer and fellowship with the saints. If we fail in private, how can we expect to be successful publicly?

Prayer is essential and Jesus did not ever hesitate to teach his disciples how to pray. The disciples asked Jesus how to pray because they witnessed the power and success of Jesus’ own prayers. It was his prayer that helped him overcome the constant persecution and trials he faced throughout his ministry.

Jesus shows there is no replacement for human fragility, and he was not an exception (Heb. 5:7). Jesus was truly man and he bore the title of “man of sorrows”. “Just as we live in dependence upon the Father and his provisions, so did Jesus Christ” (Phil Newton). If this was true of our Lord, how much more should we pray as we are nothing but dust and clay (Gen. 2:7)? Knowing this, why don’t some Christians pray? Idolatry and worldliness deter some from praying. 

Prayer is essential because it is a hallmark of a true Christian. Even though we might neglect certain things, prayer is not one of them. One thing all believers have in common is a prayerful life. Jesus knew he prayed to the living Father as we should (1 Thess. 1:9).

“I do say this. That not praying is a clear proof that a person is not yet a true Christian. They cannot really feel their sins. They cannot love God. They cannot feel themselves a debtor to Christ. They cannot long after holiness. They cannot desire heaven. They have yet to be born again. They have yet to be made a new creature. They may boast confidently of election, grace, faith, hope, and knowledge, and deceive ignorant people. But you may rest assured it is all vain talk if they do not pray” (J.C. Ryle).

Christians are the temple of God where prayer is always occurring. In other words, true Christians pray. God gifts every believer with the ability to pray in the Spirit to him. Christians are not only able to pray to God but they are also commanded to pray unceasingly (1 Thess. 5:16). Therefore, a life of prayer is a hallmark of all believers as they become the temple of God when they are saved.

As Christians, one of the first things we do is give thanks to the Lord for our salvation. Thanksgiving is one of the key aspects of the Christian life. Even a Christian’s death is full of thanks because they pass into glory. Giving thanks is not only natural but also commanded by God. Jesus was always giving thanks to the Father as He obeyed (Matthew 14:19).

Giving thanks is an act of obedience. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t have the word always, but we can assume that we must always be giving thanks. In 1 Thessalonians 1:2 and 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul says he is always giving thanks for them. Just prior to this passage, the apostle says to rejoice always. Therefore giving thanks must be our continual habit, giving thanks in everything. Thomas Watson once said, “Every time we draw our breath, we suck in mercy”. Every breath we take is a mercy from God and for which we should be grateful.

One reason we should always be thankful is because God is always working. From Genesis 1, in the beginning, God has been working. Jesus explains that both He and His Father are always working (John 5:17). So every day is a miracle. God is working as our Shepherd who doesn’t slumber or sleep (Psalms 121:4). He is leading, saving, and delivering His people (Psalm 23:4). He is Lord over all things, sovereign, holding everything in His hands (Colossians 1:16). He sustains the universe and nothing happens without His care. In this fallen world, we are powerless against the spiritual powers, but God is Lord and working.

God’s work is loving. Like a mother taking care of their children, God will not forget you (Isaiah 49:15). He is always loving and caring for you. His love is not minimal but goes above and beyond. His work on earth, especially His death, shows the length of Jesus’ love for His own (John 13:1). His love and care are constant, demonstrated by His interceding for us (Romans 8:34). We are safe because God is constantly working for us.

What must we be thankful for? In everything. There is not one thing that cannot be excluded from giving thanks to God. Both the good and bad. Just today, we heard news that Conrad Mbewe’s son passed away. He gave thanks for his son who has entered into glory. Even in sickness, tough times, poor times, in everything, we give thanks. We can give thanks for everything because God loves us. The God who loves us causes everything. We can’t quantify or explain why certain things happen but we know God causes it (Romans 8:27-28). “To those who are called according to His purpose”. “Those who are called” are the Christians and God has His purpose for them. One example we can think of is Joseph who was sold as a slave. Joseph endured many hardships until His word came to pass (Psalm 105:17-19). However, we must understand, that until God’s purpose was fulfilled, God sustained and refined Joseph. So God causes all things and He is providing His care until His work is done. We might not know what’s happening but we can trust God in everything.

Another reason we can trust God in everything He causes is because He is good (Psalm 103:8-14). God is slow to anger and does not accuse us. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sins as we deserve. Instead, he removes our transgressions completely and forgives us. He shows compassion to us who do not deserve it. He is so good and gives good gifts (Matthew 7:11). His goodness is intrinsic, His nature, His essence. God is love and God is good. This is most demonstrated by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of punishing us, He poured out His wrath and punishment upon His beloved Son (2 Corinthians 5:21). His goodness and love are freely shown to us (Romans 8:32). Therefore we thank God always in everything.

“For this is God’s will for you”. It is God’s will for us to give thanks. The will of God has nothing to do with non-Christians. God’s will is not a law but it’s a gift of God (Isaiah 46:9-10). There are six key things associated with God’s will in the New Testament.

• God wills everybody to be saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
• God’s will is for the Christian to suffer for sanctification (1 Peter 4:19)
• God’s will is for Christians to be submissive to authorities (1 Peter 2:13)
• God’s will is to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:17-18).
• God’s will is for you to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3)
• God’s will is for you to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

So we can see how important God’s will is and how important giving thanks is. Giving thanks is Christ-likeness, following the will of God. It is very significant and impactful. The Israelites were unable to enter the promised land because of their grumbling (Numbers 14:29-30). They did not give thanks. Only Josh and Caleb who were faithful, thankful, and trusted the Lord were able to enter.

The will of God is our partnership. The will of God designs and we obey with thanksgiving. Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1). The Lord works in our lives for sanctification and we respond with thanksgiving. Our thanksgiving brings glory to God. In tragedy, it is hard to give thanks, but when we practice faith and worship and give thanks, it glorifies God. We honor God and lift up His name when we give thanks (Psalm 50:23, Job 1:21-22). So we are commanded to give thanks in everything so that God be glorified. This is God’s invitation to us to enjoy and partake in His goodness, His love, and His salvation.

Prayer is important. Prayer exists for every Christian as they are internally transformed by the Spirit of God to practice a life of prayer. But what is prayer according to Scripture? There are six aspects to prayer according to Luke in today’s text. The text is one of only two prayers of Jesus recorded in Scripture; the other being Matthew 6:9-13. Jesus did not hesitate to teach prayer when anyone asked as prayer is a gift from heaven. 

Prayer is to speak consciously to God with a definite aim. Christians talk and commune with the living God who is able to respond. Prayer’s aim is to worship the living God. Every time the word ‘prayer’ is mentioned in Scripture, it involves worship.

What is prayer?

Prayer is communication. God allows every Christian to approach him in prayer to talk with him. Prayer is a two-way street where both parties must be engaged or there is no true conversation that takes place. In order to have better communication with the Lord, Christians must grow in their knowledge of the Word of God. God does not reveal anything beyond Scripture. God continues to reveal his will and helps the believer to understand. 

Communication cannot occur between the living and the dead. God is not dead but alive. He is eager to communicate with the believers and seeks them to be his worshippers. God is ready to incline his ear to anyone who is also yearning to pray to him.

Prayer is the door to pass into another realm. Jesus showed this during his baptism as the Father and Spirit communicated to him from heaven. Isaiah also experienced this when his spirit entered heaven and saw the vision of God. In prayer, God takes the believer into another realm as it was for the Apostle Paul (2 Cor. 12:2-4). In addition, the Lord gives confidence to the Christian; that is, through faith in order to receive his mercy and find grace for help at the time of need (Heb. 4:16; Ac. 16:25). Without faith, prayer is merely wordplay. 

Prayer is a means to benefit the children of God. Prayer exists because God wants to bless the believer. The children of God know they are sinners, rescued by grace alone, and trust in Jesus Christ alone. So, when a child of God prays to their God, he always listens. Christians have a love for Christ that encourages them to pray more because it increases their communication with the object of their faith and love.

Moreover, the children of God benefit from his blessings as he freely gives them everything they need (Rom. 8:32). God does not withhold the best as he did not even spare his own Son, Jesus Christ. And is through prayer that God gives blessings to those that ask him (Matt. 7:11). Jesus paid the price for believers to receive the privilege to pray and thereby become partakers in the blessings of God. Jesus not only paid the price for every Christian’s salvation, but he continues to intercede on behalf of the believer so that they can freely pray and continue to receive God’s blessings.

We are in the third and final part of this series while learning from Mary and Martha. One thing to remember is that Mary and Martha are both Christians and they are expressing their love for Jesus in different ways. Martha was trying to serve Jesus but the way she served and her heart in that service was misplaced. She allowed other things to bother her and cause her to worry. She was driven by herself and not by God’s will. Her priorities were her own and not the Lord’s.

“Only one thing is necessary” Jesus defines the essential, as the one thing that is not just better but singularly needed without comparison. Jesus clarifies that one thing is supremely necessary. Now in the church, there is a diversity of believers. Some love studying theology while others don’t like reading but instead prefer serving with their bodies. Unfortunately, many churches prioritize a Martha-style service while ignoring their members’ devotion to holiness and truth like Mary. An emphasis on devotion, holiness, and listening to God’s word is needed in our churches once again.

What is necessary? If someone is sick and dying then they need a doctor (Luke 5:31). What we need most as sinners is Jesus’ word. Mary’s proper view of her own sin resulted in her need for Jesus. She understood whatever manual service she offered was worthless. Only Jesus could help her get away from her depravity and He alone could give her a new life and a new heart. Only Jesus could save her from the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:3). We are all dead in our sins, without hope, joy, or power. Only a guilty judgment and a terrifying punishment of hell waits for the sinner who remains in their sin (Hebrews 9:27). The tragic thing is that all of us as sinners are deceived by our own hardened hearts (Jeremiah 17:9) and under the power of sin (Romans 3:9). Because of sin, our relationship with God is broken, we are enemies of God in need of reconciliation. Eventually, we will fall to our last enemy which is death. Only Jesus can save us from our sins, our deceitful hearts, impending death, and final judgment.

Because Mary knew her situation and how Jesus saved her from despair, she respected and honored Jesus. Her salvation drove her to sit at Jesus’ feet to listen. Martha also knew Jesus saves but tried to serve the Savior in her own way. Mary chose the good part. The knowledge of salvation in her head had also settled in her heart and resulted in devotion. She truly understood the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-36) and loved the Lord with all her heart. She had found her treasure and gave up everything else for the good part (Matthew 13:44).

Both Martha and Mary made choices. Martha’s choice is actually easier and better in man’s eyes. Serving is practical and more visible in its impact. It is easier to measure our faithfulness by our service. However, Mary chose devotion, passion, and hunger for God’s word. She chose the good part by faith. It is by faith the Christian listens to God’s word and obeys (Hebrews 11:8).

Attributes of Mary’s faith:

• Faith implies resting. Mary rested in the work of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Martha was working to please Jesus.
• Faith trusts the atoning work of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
• Faith trusts in Jesus alone. Jesus is the one who declared “It is finished” on the cross and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).
• Faith also takes risks. It is bold and adventurous seeking God’s will and trusting in Him to conquer and overcome (Hebrews 11:27). A bold faith finds its source in God’s word (Joshua 1:8).

“Which shall not be taken away from her”.

The true Christian’s possession shall never be taken from him. He alone, of all mankind, shall never be stripped of his inheritance. Kings must one day leave their palaces. Rich men must one day leave their money and lands. They only hold them until they die. But the poorest saint on earth has a treasure of which he will never be deprived. – J. C. Ryle

Out of all the people in this world, it is only the Christians that gain. The unbeliever, no matter how rich or how powerful, will eventually lose everything. For the Christian, we gain Christ and we will have Christ forever. Even in death, the Christian will gain (Philippians 1:19).

How to choose the good part like Mary? Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor. To be more specific, we practice our love of God in corporate worship. Just as God called the people of Israel out from Egypt to worship Him, the church is called on Sundays to worship. The church is the body of Christ and we worship Christ our head. God enjoys true worship. Corporate worship is sitting at the feet of God listening to His word and offering your devotion to Him. The result of true worship is sanctification. The church, brothers and sisters, together in corporate worship is the most important and blessed service. It is the good part. Like the early church, let’s devote ourselves to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42).

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.

The two greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength and to love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27) When asked, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate a loving neighbor. However, that’s the second commandment, not the greatest. What does loving God look like? The author Luke recalls this moment with Martha and Mary to show us what it means to love God above all else. Many have pursued and gone far with the second commandment but loving our neighbor without loving God first only ends up in morality. We must love God with all our hearts first. The greatest commandment must come first.

This is important because if we understand our lives as Martha does then it causes problems and we won’t know how to deal with them. During difficulties, many people fail to seek the spiritual first. This happens even when serving the Lord. They fail to sit at the feet of Jesus and love Him. Instead, their lives are full of worries and anxiety. They try to do things by their own strength instead of depending on Jesus and holding fast to His word.

“Jesus entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home” – Luke 10:38. Martha is the older sister, the head of her household and she is the one credited with welcoming Jesus into her home. She welcomes Jesus warmly and heartily, wanting to give her best to Him.

Mary is also there, and In the beginning, she most likely helps Martha with all the preparations. While preparing, Mary stops what she is doing and chooses to sit at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. She knew what must be prioritized. Many Christians are confused about our priorities in our lives. We have many different options for how to serve. There are many things that require our attention in the home, at work, and at church. They are all good and responsible things. However, in all of these things, we must put loving Jesus first. In a train, it is the locomotive that is in the front and it pulls all the other cars. Devotion to God and His word is the locomotive of our lives driving the rest of our actions (Joshua 1:2,8). People go through life accomplishing great things without knowing Jesus. In the end, they are worthless without Jesus. To know Jesus, to sit at His feet and listen to His word is the most important and valuable.

There are those who know of Jesus and those who know Jesus like Mary does. Even the demons know Jesus and tremble but they do not surrender to Him (Mark 1:24:26). In contrast, the disciples worshipped Jesus when they realized who He was (Matthew 14:33). They desired to know Him. We all should follow the example of Mary who desired to know Jesus. She sat at Jesus’ feet in total surrender, submitting to every word He spoke. This is what it means to be a Christian. She denied herself and took up her cross to follow Jesus Christ. This is not a perfect external service like Martha pursued. Christians are not perfect. We have our ups and downs. However the Christian surrenders.

Mary was also putting her faith in Jesus Christ by sitting at His feet. She chose Jesus because she knew He was the only way. She placed her trust and hope in Jesus. Jesus is absolutely good and perfect. He is our Lord and Savior. Why would we go anywhere else?

Mary was His disciple or in other words His student. Being at His feet and listening to Him meant this was a teaching environment. Jesus was preaching as usual and Mary stopped doing whatever she was doing to give Jesus her complete attention. Listening and obeying is the mark of discipleship because God desires obedience more than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).

Mary was “listening to His word.” There are many voices out there in the world but there is only one voice we must listen to. There is only one voice that is true and divine. The converted Christian knows the voice of their Lord and listens to His voice in spite of all the other voices. Satan often whispers sweet lies to tempt us. Like Mary, the Christian only listens to Jesus. We listen to Jesus by learning and obeying. Think about your life and actions. What drives you? Is it your plans for the future, the needs of this world? Do they call you here and there? There is only one voice that is true, the voice of Jesus. Place yourself at His feet and listen to Him.

A Christian can hear the voice of God through His word, the Bible. This is where you must go primarily to hear Jesus. Go directly to Jesus in the Bible, spend time there, meditate on His word, wrestle with the truths, and find treasure in it (1 Peter 2:2,1 John 2:27). Do not solely rely on the preacher, the authors, or the commentator or other teachers. A faith without your own reading of the Bible is a proxy faith depending on men instead of God. Instead, you must read and listen to yourself so that the word of God may be planted in your heart (Psalm 119:11). Sit at the feet of Jesus by opening the Bible and listening to His word by reading and obeying.

Are you struggling with something in your life? Do you need answers? Do you have doubts? Are you lacking in some area of your life? Then you must go and meet the Lord in His word. Be like Jacob who wrestled all through the night until He received the Lord’s blessing (John 20:25). Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection but that‘s because He wanted to verify with His own eyes and hands. He desired more than someone else’s testimony. That’s why when Thomas meets Jesus for himself, he declares “My Lord and my God”. (John 20:25,28) If we pursue Jesus when we struggle or doubt then we place ourselves at His feet. The world tells us there are many things to do, but we know where we must be and what comes first. Mary completely surrendered to Jesus. She sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him.

Only Christ has fulfilled the Law, which no one else has done or can do. Therefore, we can only depend on Christ Jesus for our salvation. Today’s text describes a famous portion of Scripture titled the Good Samaritan. Even the secular world knows that a good Samaritan is someone who has shown a remarkable act of love and care. However, this is also one of the most misunderstood and misapplied parables. Augustine rightly understands that the point of this parable is “Every human who is in need is our neighbor”.

The scholar was similar to the rich young ruler in Luke 18 who claims to have kept the law from his youth. The problem was their hypocrisy. They may have appeared on the outside to be faithful but on the inside, they were dead, like white-washed tombs. The bold claimed to be righteous without understanding that only Jesus was righteous and they needed him. Instead of admitting their guilt, the scholar asks, “Who is my neighbor”? So Jesus responds with a parable. A man is robbed on the road to Jerusalem. They stripped him and beat him. Historians record that the road from Jericho to Jerusalem was particularly dangerous and many people had been brutally robbed and murdered there. Miraculously, the Jew in this parable survives the attack.

A priest is the first person who encounters the dying victim. This priest would be a descendant of Aaron with a special role in Judaism for teaching and performing worship. Next, a Levite walks by who is also a special member of the Jewish society, usually an artist or craftsman. Their passing by on the other side shows the corruption and superficiality of their religion. Their obedience is mere lip service (Isa. 29:13).

Jesus dramatically changes the trajectory of the story to impress His point on the scholar when Luke writes, “But a Samaritan”. This must have surprised and shocked the listeners at the time. The Jews and Samaritans deeply hated each other. The history of Samaria goes back to the Assyrian conquest of the northern kingdom of Israel, where the Israelites were displaced and foreigners were brought into the conquered land. The foreigners brought their idols and pagan customs. Throughout the centuries there was severe conflict and hatred between them (Jn. 4:7-9; Lk. 9:52-54). The Jews and Samaritans did not interact and wanted nothing to do with each other.

However, this Samaritan in the story was different. This particular Samaritan felt compassion. This word compassion is associated with Jesus throughout the gospels (Matt. 15:32). This is the heart of Jesus for everyone even now (Matt. 9:36). The word compassion is not just feelings but a word of action. It is more than feeling someone’s pain. The priest and Levite most likely felt the victim’s pain and felt sorry for him, but they walked on the other side. It was the Samaritan who both felt and showed compassion (Matt. 14:14).

The dying man was an enemy, someone whom the Samaritan should have hated. Instead, he bandaged his wounds and poured oil and wine on them. This would have been a wonderful help and more than the fellow priest and Levite did. But he put the injured man on his donkey, while he walked, took him to an inn. He then stays with him overnight and the next day, takes out more money and commands the innkeeper to take care of this injured man to whatever extent. The Samaritan did this for a man who probably hates the Samaritan and could harm him in the future.

The Christian Way of Life is Love

At the end of the parable, Jesus asks a very obvious question. “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robber’s hands”? The answer, the neighbor is the one who shows mercy and love. Anyone who is in need is our neighbor. Not just our neighbors but also our enemies (Lk. 6:27-28). This does not mean Christians are pacifists. We must protect our families and uphold justice. However, we pray for our enemies regarding their repentance.

The Samaritan’s Love

It does not tarry but is quick to act. It is bold to love someone who is unfriendly. It is selfless to treat as himself. It is full. It is sacrificial. It is wise. It is continual. Love is like this. And if the sermon were to end here then it would be good morality, but it would forget the context (Lk. 10:22, 24). This whole discussion was started by Jesus stating that God the Father has handed all things over to Jesus and no one knows the Father except Jesus and those whom Jesus reveals. That is when the scholar asks his question about eternal life, to see if there is another way. So Jesus, after saying it is only through the Son, says the requirement for eternal life is the perfect keeping of the Law by loving the Lord with all his heart. The scholar thought he had kept it even though he really had not. Hence the example of the Samaritan.

If we are honest with ourselves, can we love like the Samaritan? Many people do many charitable things and devote themselves to noble causes in helping the needy. Some serve at orphanages, hospitals, or shelters. They do amazing acts of kindness and sacrifice, but this does not mean they have kept the whole law perfectly and constantly. We are all like the Apostle Paul when he says, “Oh wretched man that I am”. We are all lawbreakers (Jas. 2:10-11, Rom. 7:9-10). The law is impossible to keep because it demands love with all our strength, heart, and mind. It is hopeless. In fact, the purpose of the law is not to be kept by us but to reveal our sins. However, Jesus is the one who has kept the Law perfectly. Even while on the cross, suffering pain and betrayal, Jesus did not revile in return (1 Pet. 2:21-25). Therefore, life is possible in Christ alone.

The scholar admits the one who had mercy is the neighbor. Jesus then says, “Go and do the same”. Go and love like this Samaritan, not just once, but continually. We must admit that we cannot love like this, so we need Jesus for salvation and throughout our earthly life.

Do you place your trust in Jesus Christ? Do you rest on Him alone? Through Jesus, God is satisfied.