-20-25 Luke 10:38-42

38 Now as [Jesus and his disciples] went on their way, he entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at Jesus’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things, 42 but few things are needed—indeed only one. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Grace, mercy, and peace be yours, it comes as a result of listening at Jesus’ feet.

Does this story make you want to come to Martha’s defense? Does it make you want her to say to Jesus: Okay, you have Mary listening attentively to you, but if your blanket is dirty and there is no bread baked for your supper, don’t blame me! That’s all on Mary! 

Unexpected guests or a visitor who carries a lot of prestige can make most of us a little tense. We want everything to show to the best advantage, demonstrating that we hold them in the highest esteem. & Probably a desire to impress! Abraham found himself in such a situation in the reading from Genesis. Three men were outside the door of his tent.  My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. 4 Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves. [  Gen 18:3-5]He began talking so fast it is surprising he didn’t trip over his own tongue.

This was not the first encounter Abraham had experienced with the Lord, or God’s messengers. He had been called forth from the land, where his father had been living, to journey to a new land which God promised would one day be the home of his descendants. Abraham would be the father of a great nation. He had indeed prospered as he awaited the fulfillment of that promise, he had many flocks and servants, he was a power in the region with whom others had to reckon. Yet, at this point, he and Sarah had no offspring of their own. Age had crept up on them. They offered wonderful hospitality to these guests, fresh baked bread, curds, milk and a roasted calf. There was a shaded place to rest and time for conversation. While they ate, Abraham listened to them, from nearby, without interfering. Then they ask him about Sarah, who has stayed within the tent. Their message is a renewal of the promise of the long-desired child, a son is to be born of Sarah, within the next year. 

Abraham and Sarah were being offered a chance to respond to God in faith. They had received this opportunity many times already. Sometimes they met the challenge; other times they doubted and tried to do things their own way. When they went their own direction, the world turned sour. Like when Sarah had arranged for Hagar to have a son with Abraham, since she herself had remained barren. Ishmael was born but he would not be this son of promise that God had specified. That would be Isaac, of whom these visitors now made known. And Sarah did indeed deliver that son, even though she and Abraham were well beyond child-bearing years.

God made it known that age is not a determining factor when it comes to trusting in God and responding to his word with faith. There are others who have provided us examples for facing a challenge and responding with enthusiasm. Did you know that Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel at 71. At 7 years young, Mozart published his first musical composition. Grandma Moses didn’t start painting until she was 80 and yet completed 1500 works of art, a quarter of them after she was 100. Ben Franklin published his first newspaper column at 16 and at 81 helped framed the U.S. Constitution. May we be inspired by such achievements.

God calls upon us to respond to him in loving obedience using the gifts he has provided, without checking our birthday. We are to listen and serve, young and old. Last week Luke’s gospel lesson told of the law; which says to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself. There is no time limit. We heard the story of the Good Samaritan which demonstrated a loving attitude and compassion toward the neighbor. Today in the story of Mary and Martha we are shown another example of how we are to pay attention to the Lord. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, eager to hear all that he had to impart. Her focus was solely on him. Martha was busy with the tasks of providing for her special guest, she wanted to have everything nice for him. But her attention was divided among all those tasks and there formed some resentment for not having her sister’s assistance with that work.  Jesus even commented that she had become distracted and worried about all the tasks she had set for herself to complete. That had left here no time to really notice her guest.

Imagine for a moment that the representatives from Publisher’s Clearing House came to your door, alerting you that you had won the million-dollar prize. Once you could actually accept that they were telling the truth, they would certainly have your undivided attention. You would listen to their every word of instruction for how to receive this windfall. It would probably be hours before you could concentrate on anything else beyond that prize. It would become the foremost priority in your day. You would dream up ways it could be utilized, envision how it would change your life, and you would call your closest friend to get their congratulations and advice. No matter what else you tried to do, your mind would bounce back to this news. It would hold first place in your thoughts.

In the gospel story, Mary had found a primary focus. She sat by Jesus and listened to him. She was not worried if the stew got overdone or if they had flowers on the table. Now Martha had also worked hard to make their guest welcome. She was concerned about the welfare of others, specifically Jesus. So, she wants her house and the food she offers to be the best possible. Jesus does not condemn Martha for her efforts; they are worthy and important. But they are taking away her attention from the primary focus, which was to listen to Jesus. Martha had been distracted by the perceived shortcomings of her sister – in not helping her! Yet at that point in time the most vital concern was the relationship with Jesus, Mary’s and Martha’s. Jesus was the prize that had come to them and it was to encompass all their hopes and give the direction for how they could serve. Jesus was seeking their response but first they would need to hear and truly listen to his word. God calls upon us to respond to him in loving obedience using the gifts he has provided. Yet first of all, we need to hear of His love for us, of the sacrifice He gave for us. We need to get acquainted with Him. We need to first enter into a relationship with Christ. Only then we will know how to act, how to serve, how to love the neighbor by following Him.