Luke 10:38-42 ~ received Him into her house

Luke 10:38-42


Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40

But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.”

We all get a choice in life, we can hem and haw and wrap up in the imperfections of life.

Or we can look up to the One who is Good.

2 Millenniums ago,  Jesus announced He had women He discipled. And He set about remembering them for the generations coming forth.

God loves self-governance and I would bet Martha would want to crawl under the chair (the picture shows a restful shade under the chair) - instead of being corrected. We can avoid the correction. Yet a correction in the ears of a wise woman created a Jesus sized difference in her life.

Bethany in 1880

John 11

20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary sat in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27

She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.”

28 When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying quietly, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29 And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30 Now Jesus had not yet come to the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31 When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32 Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

Martha is a communicator, good for her. She steps up to Welcome Jesus. In the first Gospel, she is whining.There is not a peace being worked. Nor is she being nicey.

In the second Gospel, she is doing what Jesus taught people...going to the Creator of all mankind with an important Truth.

Miracles Jesus Required Work from the Participant - Acts of Faith

1 Jesus Turns Water into Wine

Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it.

2 Jesus Heals an Official's Son

Jesus said to him, “Go; your son will live.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way.

3 Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit

Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”

4 Jesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-Law

He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him.

5 Jesus Heals Many Sick at Evening

Jesus requires no action other than the people attend.

6 First Miraculous Catch of Fish

Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

7 Jesus Cleanses a Man With Leprosy

Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to any one; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to the people.”


Now Martha asked the Serving of the men, and Jesus, be assisted. Seems seemly. Jesus was saying if it wasn't ready,  others would help. Jesus was committing the work would be accomplished. He was asking for priorities over Social obligations.

Jesus was pulling faith - from acts of faith - into belief.

Martha went from social obligations to Working a Peace.

We cannot judge Martha - she started the Gospel correctly - she welcomed Jesus where she dwells. Making Martha a disciple of Jesus. A work in progress - going far looking to Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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