Martha, Martha

Text: Luke 10:38-42

Prop: The book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Carlson.

Summary: The story of Martha sitting at the feet of Jesus demonstrates that we need to spend time with God.

This book is called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Do you ever worry about something that isn’t important? Do you ever get so busy you forget to spend time with God? Sometimes we get busy playing with our friends. Sometimes we get busy doing things for ourselves. If we don’t take time to read the Bible or pray, we can easily forget about God. Did you know there’s a story in the Bible about that?

(Read text.)

Martha had invited Jesus to her house. When the men sat down to listen to Jesus teach about God, the women were usually working around the house. They would prepare food for the guests, keep the house clean, and clean up after meals. Martha was getting mad because Mary was sitting and listening to Jesus. She wasn’t helping with all the chores. Martha was a busy bee. She was cooking and setting the table and she wanted some help. So she complained to Jesus and asked him to tell Mary to help out. She didn’t stop to think about what she was saying. She just knew she didn’t want to do it all herself.

Jesus didn’t get on to Mary or Martha about what either one of them was doing. He knew Martha was worried and so he tried to calm her down. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: He gently got Martha’s attention and told her she was worried and upset over a very small matter. He guided her about what was important.

But one thing is needful: and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Jesus was telling busy Martha that Mary was thinking about God. Mary was sitting quietly at the feet of Jesus as he taught about the kingdom of God. She was spending time with Jesus: not cleaning the dirty dishes, not cooking, not sweeping. She was just spending a quiet moment with the Master. Jesus said that she had made a wise decision and that she would benefit from it. He highly praised her for quietly spending time with God.

Today, let’s remember to spend time with Jesus. We can read our Bibles, and we can pray, and we can worship God together. Let’s try to remember when things get busy, that it’s still important to spend time with God.

©1997 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Martha

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