WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.019 I chose a passage that deals with women, a fairly well familiar passage, and we think we know what it means. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:17.280 So I thought what I would do is to look at this passage with new eyes and ask ourselves, what is this passage saying? 00:00:18.100 --> 00:00:26.539 And so if you turn to the back of the bulletin, I suggested four different ways of looking at this passage, 00:00:26.539 --> 00:00:29.379 and let me assure you they're not exclusive. 00:00:30.119 --> 00:00:35.259 It's not that if you hold to second view, then you can't hold to the third view or something like that. 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:45.439 It is an extremely rich passage, and it is dedicated to all the women in this congregation, and the men too. 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:54.200 It is the passage about Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, verses 38 through 42. 00:00:54.200 --> 00:01:00.500 So let me read this passage, and we'll ask God to help us see what it means. 00:01:01.640 --> 00:01:10.379 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:17.159 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:24.140 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be done. 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:33.359 She came to him and asked, Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? 00:01:34.079 --> 00:01:35.159 Tell her to help me. 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:44.599 Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:51.199 Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. 00:01:51.959 --> 00:01:57.839 So to think about this passage, there are several things to notice. 00:01:58.419 --> 00:02:01.840 First of all, there is something very, very interesting at the very beginning. 00:02:02.659 --> 00:02:10.539 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home. 00:02:11.139 --> 00:02:13.379 I find that rather amazing. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:22.060 The reason for that is that we know from other passages that Mary and Martha also had a brother by the name of Lazarus. 00:02:22.780 --> 00:02:26.539 Lazarus was the one who died, whom Jesus raised. 00:02:27.539 --> 00:02:36.300 And then in John chapter 12, after the resurrection, after bringing Lazarus back from the dead, 00:02:36.300 --> 00:02:40.000 they threw a banquet in honor of Jesus. 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:48.120 And as you read the passage there, which is not this event, but it's after the resurrection of Lazarus, 00:02:48.540 --> 00:02:54.460 it's interesting enough that Martha is serving and Mary is at Jesus' feet. 00:02:54.980 --> 00:02:57.040 And we see that happening here again. 00:02:57.700 --> 00:03:02.460 Martha is serving and Mary is at Jesus' feet. 00:03:02.460 --> 00:03:14.719 The question that I wonder is, why is it said, a woman named Martha who opened her home to him? 00:03:15.200 --> 00:03:17.219 I find that rather strange. 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:24.960 Because if there is a son, if there is a boy, it is the boy who would inherit the house. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:29.599 That house should be for Lazarus. 00:03:30.680 --> 00:03:39.939 So to say that it is Martha's house means either that she worked hard in some business 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:46.939 and saved enough money and bought the house so that house was literally hers, not Lazarus'. 00:03:47.659 --> 00:03:50.520 Not the one he would inherit when the parents die. 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:57.379 Or that maybe it was his house, but she's the older sister and she ran it. 00:03:58.460 --> 00:04:03.319 And maybe she ran it with firm hands and managed the house. 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:15.060 But in any case, when we look at this incident, Mary is at Jesus' feet and Martha is working in the kitchen. 00:04:17.000 --> 00:04:20.439 And two things we need to notice. 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:25.319 Mary, who sat at... 00:04:25.319 --> 00:04:27.439 I'm sorry, verse 40. 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:33.319 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:39.360 Notice, she's not cutting the grass outside. 00:04:40.199 --> 00:04:42.839 She's not rearranging the furniture. 00:04:43.920 --> 00:04:45.879 She's not repairing the faucet. 00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:50.639 She is making reparations that needed to be made. 00:04:51.300 --> 00:04:53.259 So she's not wasting her time. 00:04:53.399 --> 00:04:55.240 She has to do something. 00:04:55.240 --> 00:04:55.900 She's not making reparations. 00:04:55.900 --> 00:04:56.060 She's not making reparations. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:56.860 She's not making reparations. 00:04:56.860 --> 00:04:57.980 She's not making reparations. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:04:58.139 She's not making reparations. 00:04:58.139 --> 00:04:58.560 She's not making reparations. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:04:59.060 She's not making reparations. 00:04:59.060 --> 00:05:01.639 And then later on, Jesus says to her, 00:05:02.960 --> 00:05:07.560 you are upset and worried about many things. 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:10.300 The question is, of course, 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:15.019 who decides what preparations need to be made? 00:05:16.900 --> 00:05:19.879 Is it the rules of society? 00:05:20.400 --> 00:05:22.620 When you invite people to your house, 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:24.040 this is how you should treat them? 00:05:24.040 --> 00:05:26.540 Is it her own standards? 00:05:27.280 --> 00:05:29.600 Is it her personality? 00:05:30.400 --> 00:05:33.240 Who decides what needs to be made? 00:05:34.520 --> 00:05:38.540 And who decides how many are many? 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:46.220 I asked a good friend of mine a question, 00:05:46.760 --> 00:05:49.620 knowing very well that he is not a theologian. 00:05:50.660 --> 00:05:56.060 And so I asked him, what did he think of this story? 00:05:57.320 --> 00:06:00.120 The reason I asked him, and not some other friends 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:00.980 that I could have asked, 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:04.780 is that he is a chef in a restaurant. 00:06:04.779 --> 00:06:08.619 He is in charge of all the cooking. 00:06:10.239 --> 00:06:13.699 So I asked him, what do you think this passage is about? 00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:20.519 He said, it depends on the kind of meal that you want to prepare. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:26.419 That on occasions, on really special occasions, 00:06:26.419 --> 00:06:33.500 if like a chairman of a company is eating at that restaurant, 00:06:33.979 --> 00:06:36.479 they might ask for a five-course meal, 00:06:36.859 --> 00:06:38.599 or a seven-course meal. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:42.279 I want you to know I've never had a seven-course meal. 00:06:42.279 --> 00:06:46.299 I think I had three, but not seven. 00:06:48.000 --> 00:06:50.379 So he looked at this passage, 00:06:50.599 --> 00:06:53.599 and he thought that when Jesus says, 00:06:54.299 --> 00:06:57.219 you are worried and upset about many things, 00:06:57.659 --> 00:06:59.500 but only one thing is needed, 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:04.059 he thinks that what Jesus is saying to Martha, 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.579 you don't have to do all this cooking, 00:07:07.159 --> 00:07:08.679 just, you know, hamburgers. 00:07:08.680 --> 00:07:10.379 That's enough. 00:07:11.840 --> 00:07:15.860 You know, you don't have to have salad, 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:18.800 and soup, 00:07:19.400 --> 00:07:20.680 and first-course appetizer, 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:22.860 and second-course appetizer. 00:07:23.340 --> 00:07:25.220 Maybe Jesus is saying to her, 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:27.800 simplify it, you know, 00:07:28.319 --> 00:07:29.579 just do one thing, 00:07:29.800 --> 00:07:30.600 don't do everything. 00:07:31.319 --> 00:07:32.780 That's the one thing that matters. 00:07:34.199 --> 00:07:36.259 I'm not sure that I agree with him, 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:39.319 but that is probably the most interesting interpretation 00:07:39.319 --> 00:07:41.039 of this passage I've ever heard. 00:07:42.459 --> 00:07:44.620 And when I write a commentary on Luke, 00:07:44.659 --> 00:07:45.939 which is not anytime soon, 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:48.519 I will incorporate it as a possibility. 00:07:52.800 --> 00:07:55.599 Let's take a look at another part. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:07:58.620 Look at verse 39, 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:00.000 second interpretation. 00:08:00.000 --> 00:08:06.040 In this second interpretation, 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.480 she had a sister called Mary 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:11.319 who sat at the Lord's feet 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:14.220 listening to what he said. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:17.319 She could have stood in the corner, 00:08:17.879 --> 00:08:19.399 she could have stood in the back, 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:21.980 she could have stood next to the window, 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:24.000 but it is interesting enough 00:08:24.000 --> 00:08:27.060 that she sat at Jesus' feet, 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:29.459 and Jesus didn't forbid her. 00:08:30.000 --> 00:08:34.940 That's an awkward thing 00:08:34.940 --> 00:08:37.419 to read about. 00:08:39.480 --> 00:08:42.679 When I see this passage, 00:08:43.100 --> 00:08:46.419 I see Mary doing something 00:08:46.419 --> 00:08:49.659 that any good Jew would understand. 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:55.480 To sit at the master's feet 00:08:55.480 --> 00:08:59.639 means you're the favorite disciple. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:03.799 She is not even one of the twelve. 00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:09.340 And yet she's taking the position 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:10.840 of the favorite disciple. 00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:14.860 This, of course, raises the issue. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:18.899 Is this story dealing with a very basic question? 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:23.340 Where is the place of women in society? 00:09:23.340 --> 00:09:29.740 In our days, 00:09:30.519 --> 00:09:33.879 we have probably thought a little bit more about this 00:09:33.879 --> 00:09:35.680 than maybe 40 years ago 00:09:35.680 --> 00:09:38.759 because of the rise of ISIS 00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:43.300 and then trying to reinforce codes. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:47.579 So in some places in the Middle East, 00:09:47.579 --> 00:09:50.939 a woman cannot walk to the market alone. 00:09:51.639 --> 00:09:53.740 If you walk to the market alone, 00:09:53.859 --> 00:09:55.819 you get arrested by the police. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:10:00.639 Therefore, a woman has to walk with her brother 00:10:00.639 --> 00:10:02.839 or son or father. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:06.280 A male has to escort a woman 00:10:06.280 --> 00:10:08.340 if she wants to go shopping in the market. 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:10.860 Otherwise, it's a crime. 00:10:12.540 --> 00:10:15.480 Women have to wear clothes, 00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:18.480 clothing that covers from top to bottom. 00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:23.560 So you can't exactly wear clothing 00:10:23.560 --> 00:10:25.220 that only go up to your knees. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:27.580 If you wear up to your knees, 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:31.120 you get arrested for violating clothing laws. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:35.500 So as ISIS is trying to enforce 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:38.980 laws about the place of women, 00:10:39.680 --> 00:10:43.200 we find that those laws are very, very strict, 00:10:43.200 --> 00:10:45.240 much stricter than anything 00:10:45.240 --> 00:10:49.640 that goes on in our West. 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:53.320 Try to think, for example, 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:56.620 of women cheerleaders in a basketball game 00:10:56.620 --> 00:10:57.800 or in a football game 00:10:57.800 --> 00:10:59.600 and think of the attire, 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:00.840 the clothes that they wear. 00:11:01.340 --> 00:11:03.060 That would be unheard of 00:11:03.060 --> 00:11:05.800 in a Muslim culture, 00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:07.480 completely unheard of. 00:11:08.560 --> 00:11:09.800 So the question is, 00:11:09.800 --> 00:11:13.180 where is the place of the woman? 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:16.360 I remember an incident 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:18.800 from my childhood very, very well. 00:11:19.540 --> 00:11:20.800 I mean, it was like a revolution. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:23.060 It was like, you know, 1776. 00:11:23.920 --> 00:11:25.259 The reason for that 00:11:25.259 --> 00:11:27.400 is that we were a Christian home, 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.500 so we were not Muslims. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:31.000 We were a Christian home. 00:11:31.640 --> 00:11:33.240 And the thing that happened 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:35.960 is that whenever the family 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:37.460 got together to eat, 00:11:37.920 --> 00:11:40.600 all of us would sit at the table 00:11:40.600 --> 00:11:42.379 except my grandmother. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:46.220 She would eat all by herself 00:11:46.220 --> 00:11:47.140 in the kitchen 00:11:47.140 --> 00:11:51.160 after everybody has eaten. 00:11:51.940 --> 00:11:53.220 So she makes sure 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.740 that everybody is served, 00:11:55.320 --> 00:11:56.840 and of course there is some food left, 00:11:57.160 --> 00:11:59.000 but when she puts it on her plate, 00:11:59.360 --> 00:12:02.300 she wouldn't come and sit with us. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:05.459 She grew up in a culture 00:12:05.459 --> 00:12:05.979 that said, 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:07.439 women, sit alone. 00:12:08.459 --> 00:12:10.159 We're talking about even before, 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:12.259 you know, like 1870s, 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:14.219 when she was growing up. 00:12:15.819 --> 00:12:18.319 And so she would sit alone, 00:12:18.479 --> 00:12:19.599 and the rest of the family 00:12:19.599 --> 00:12:22.120 would be eating at the table. 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:23.939 And one day my uncle 00:12:23.939 --> 00:12:25.379 just lost his cool. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.899 I mean, he, 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:27.960 my uncle, 00:12:28.059 --> 00:12:29.559 the most easygoing person 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:30.659 I know in the world, 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.360 one of the kindest people I know, 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:35.379 who had enormous respect 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:37.360 for his mom, 00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:39.059 left the table 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.820 and yelled at her 00:12:40.820 --> 00:12:41.820 in the kitchen, 00:12:42.080 --> 00:12:43.039 yelled and yelled. 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:43.960 And he said, 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:45.439 we have to stop this nonsense. 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:47.100 You're not going to eat here 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:48.240 while everybody's sitting there. 00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.519 You will eat with us. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:51.039 If you don't eat with us, 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:51.960 nobody will eat. 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.460 And we're all sitting there, 00:12:57.639 --> 00:12:58.840 this is my uncle, 00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.579 yelling, you know. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.939 I mean, he wouldn't yell at the dog, 00:13:03.199 --> 00:13:04.600 much less yell at his mom, 00:13:05.340 --> 00:13:05.899 like that. 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:08.120 And from that day on, 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:10.519 she would eat with us. 00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:13.779 He said that, you know, 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:15.939 maybe that was your cultural upbringing 00:13:15.939 --> 00:13:17.740 in our house, 00:13:17.740 --> 00:13:19.240 this is your place, 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:20.539 your place is with us, 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:22.139 not with eating alone. 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:26.600 I remember the second revolution 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:29.240 because my grandmother 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:30.919 was a little bit old. 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:32.379 She had a servant 00:13:32.379 --> 00:13:36.519 who sat and took care of her. 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:39.200 That servant was not part of the family, 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.320 but she was her servant. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.340 And so my dad, 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:44.060 not to be outdone by his brother, 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.700 went to the servant 00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:47.879 and demanded that she has to sit 00:13:47.879 --> 00:13:49.700 with the rest of the family. 00:13:50.899 --> 00:13:52.860 And said, 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:54.480 but she's not family. 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:56.039 She's not Masu. 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.100 He said, 00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:59.080 she is part of this household. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.340 She is sitting with us. 00:14:00.340 --> 00:14:03.500 when you read the New Testament, 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:05.200 one of the questions that arises, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.360 what is the role of women? 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:12.920 And they are treated a lot better 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:15.320 than either the Roman culture 00:14:15.320 --> 00:14:18.000 or the Old Testament culture. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:23.940 you can see it in some small ways 00:14:23.940 --> 00:14:26.159 that is telling us, 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.120 you know, 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:30.559 the church is changing drastically. 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:32.940 In the synagogue, 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:34.700 the woman would not sit with men. 00:14:35.700 --> 00:14:37.840 You couldn't sit next to your husband 00:14:37.840 --> 00:14:38.759 even if you wanted to. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:40.820 All the women sat on one side, 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:42.960 all the men sat on the other side. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.700 And therefore, 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:46.700 if the pastor said something 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.780 and you didn't understand 00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:49.960 and you wanted to ask, 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.100 guess what you'd have to do? 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.560 Yell across the hallway, 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.180 you know, 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.460 the divide. 00:14:58.920 --> 00:14:59.759 And so, 00:15:00.540 --> 00:15:02.519 it turns out 00:15:02.519 --> 00:15:03.500 that the New Testament 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.400 is saying 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:06.980 the woman's role 00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:08.060 is more 00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:09.840 than just in the kitchen. 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:13.440 maybe in Old Testament culture 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.460 they would have thought 00:15:14.460 --> 00:15:15.240 that that's the place 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:15.720 of the woman. 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.700 And then you have two exceptions. 00:15:18.540 --> 00:15:18.840 Deborah, 00:15:19.580 --> 00:15:19.920 Ruth, 00:15:20.480 --> 00:15:20.820 Esther. 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:22.639 But 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:24.840 when you think about it, 00:15:25.700 --> 00:15:26.740 who is the first one 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.580 who saw the resurrected Lord Jesus? 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.560 Mary Magdalene, 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:31.280 a woman. 00:15:32.300 --> 00:15:34.519 Who was the first convert 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:36.019 in Europe? 00:15:36.980 --> 00:15:37.320 Lydia, 00:15:37.940 --> 00:15:38.420 a woman. 00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:43.480 Who supported Jesus 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:44.600 financially? 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:46.480 Women. 00:15:49.060 --> 00:15:50.200 And now, 00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.460 you see a woman 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.960 sitting at 00:15:52.960 --> 00:15:54.440 Jesus' feet. 00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.960 Jesus does not 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:58.360 call her 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.139 a disciple. 00:16:00.080 --> 00:16:00.899 She is not 00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.759 one of the twelve. 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.440 But 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:04.879 Jesus is 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.800 permitting her 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:06.920 to sit 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:08.019 and listen to him. 00:16:08.019 --> 00:16:10.279 and Jesus 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:11.360 is elevating 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.279 the role 00:16:12.279 --> 00:16:12.799 of woman 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:14.740 from just 00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.159 a little bit 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:15.899 above a servant 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.600 to a full 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.699 citizen 00:16:17.699 --> 00:16:18.340 in the kingdom. 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.199 That's why Paul, 00:16:21.679 --> 00:16:22.399 for different reasons, 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:23.319 says there is neither 00:16:23.319 --> 00:16:24.740 Jew nor Greek, 00:16:25.299 --> 00:16:26.279 male nor female. 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:27.519 Of course, 00:16:27.579 --> 00:16:28.139 there are differences 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.159 between male and female. 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.059 We all know that. 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:32.219 but he is saying 00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:32.939 in relationship 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.659 to the church. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:35.719 And so, 00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:37.639 maybe this parable 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.739 is trying to say, 00:16:38.919 --> 00:16:39.759 maybe this incident 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:41.279 is trying to 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:42.439 be part of 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.739 this larger package 00:16:43.739 --> 00:16:44.899 that women 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:45.639 can do 00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.419 other things 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.319 than just 00:16:47.319 --> 00:16:48.479 work in the kitchen. 00:16:48.819 --> 00:16:49.479 There is nothing 00:16:49.479 --> 00:16:50.399 dishonorable about 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.279 working in the kitchen. 00:16:51.699 --> 00:16:52.319 I don't want 00:16:52.319 --> 00:16:53.679 anybody to think that. 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:55.079 But there is more 00:16:55.079 --> 00:16:55.719 than just 00:16:55.719 --> 00:16:56.839 working in the kitchen. 00:16:56.840 --> 00:17:01.840 Maybe it's okay 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.320 for a woman 00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.820 to study 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.580 God's word. 00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.240 And if you believe that, 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.740 you should join 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.519 women's ministry 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.740 that was just 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:10.340 introduced 00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:11.299 and announced earlier. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.900 Maybe women 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:16.160 should be able 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.160 to talk to each other 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:17.819 about growing 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.440 in the Lord, 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.259 supporting each other, 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.960 endorsing each other, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.840 walking side by side 00:17:23.840 --> 00:17:24.480 with each other. 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:28.039 So, 00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:31.399 a passage like this 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:32.720 means that 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.819 even women 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:35.199 are free 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.099 to have access 00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:36.699 to God. 00:17:38.439 --> 00:17:39.659 Knowing God 00:17:39.659 --> 00:17:40.419 is not limited 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:40.919 to men. 00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.220 Studying scriptures 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:44.099 is not limited 00:17:44.099 --> 00:17:44.559 to men. 00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.619 You may remember 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.279 a movie 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:48.159 a long time ago 00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:50.519 by Barbara Streisand 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.500 called Yentl. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.159 This woman, 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.720 a musical, 00:17:53.899 --> 00:17:54.359 this woman 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:56.699 who could not 00:17:56.699 --> 00:17:57.119 study 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:59.579 the Old Testament, 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.199 the law, 00:18:00.659 --> 00:18:01.679 because in Jewish 00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:02.439 schools, 00:18:02.979 --> 00:18:04.699 women were not 00:18:04.699 --> 00:18:05.859 allowed to be rabbis. 00:18:06.959 --> 00:18:07.339 And so, 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.179 theological education 00:18:09.179 --> 00:18:10.179 was closed 00:18:10.179 --> 00:18:11.039 to them. 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:12.319 So, 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.399 Barbara Streisand 00:18:13.399 --> 00:18:14.559 disguises herself 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.359 as a boy 00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.519 to get 00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.179 theological education. 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:21.480 and Jesus 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:21.840 saying, 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.460 there is no need 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:22.880 for that. 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.460 Women can have 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.200 access to God. 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.600 The third thing, 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:30.180 the third way 00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:30.560 of looking 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:31.460 at this passage 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:31.880 is, 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.860 this is a special 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.279 event. 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.799 Jesus does not 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.560 live in Bethel. 00:18:36.880 --> 00:18:37.320 He is not 00:18:37.320 --> 00:18:37.960 their next door 00:18:37.960 --> 00:18:38.259 neighbor. 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:39.600 He lives 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.360 in Galilee 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:41.220 and Bethel 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.180 is about two miles 00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:43.120 away from Jerusalem. 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:43.700 So, 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.080 apparently, 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.080 he is on a visit 00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:46.180 to or from 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:47.900 Jerusalem. 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.900 This is 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:50.700 a special 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.500 occasion. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.799 This is 00:18:53.799 --> 00:18:54.660 a special 00:18:54.660 --> 00:18:55.380 occasion. 00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.860 If he was, 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.840 if he lived 00:18:58.840 --> 00:18:59.759 next door to them, 00:18:59.840 --> 00:19:00.580 it wouldn't be special. 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.120 They could see him 00:19:01.120 --> 00:19:01.580 every day. 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.960 But this is 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.060 a special occasion. 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.279 And so, 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:06.100 the question is, 00:19:06.340 --> 00:19:07.640 what can you do 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.900 on special occasions 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.980 as opposed 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.240 to ordinary occasions? 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.779 I have never 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.820 come to this church 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:16.019 wearing a tuxedo. 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:18.920 The last time 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.840 I wore a tuxedo 00:19:19.840 --> 00:19:20.680 happens to be 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.440 ten years ago. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.240 In the last 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:23.700 ten years, 00:19:23.820 --> 00:19:24.380 I have not 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.240 worn the tuxedo 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:25.700 once. 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:27.039 Maybe if I were 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.000 a professional musician, 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:28.620 I'd wear it 00:19:28.620 --> 00:19:29.620 every weekend 00:19:29.620 --> 00:19:30.299 when I'm working, 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.500 but I am not 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.500 a professional musician. 00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:33.779 So, 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:35.920 I don't wear 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.660 tuxedos. 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.279 But I did wear 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.100 it ten years ago. 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:40.420 Do you want 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.960 to guess what 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.480 was happening 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:42.180 ten years ago? 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.640 My daughter 00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.560 was getting married. 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:46.099 So, 00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:46.460 I thought 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.319 for her sake, 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.279 I would do 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.119 something special. 00:19:51.119 --> 00:19:52.220 But that's not 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.119 what I normally 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.220 wear. 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.839 I invited 00:19:57.839 --> 00:20:00.019 350 people 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.519 to dinner. 00:20:01.960 --> 00:20:03.259 I don't invite 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.899 normally 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.960 350 people 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:05.359 to dinner 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:05.679 ever. 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.839 I've only done it 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:08.700 once in my life. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.380 not even 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:11.120 for my son's 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:11.340 wearing. 00:20:15.840 --> 00:20:16.860 On special 00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.440 occasions, 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.500 you do things 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.100 that are 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.200 different than 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:21.440 normal occasions. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.240 On normal 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.700 occasions, 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.799 you worry about 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.460 food and you 00:20:25.460 --> 00:20:25.920 worry about 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.500 many things, 00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:27.640 but this is 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.279 a special 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:28.840 occasion. 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.380 But I am 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:33.700 not upset 00:20:34.720 --> 00:20:35.299 with her. 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.759 Let me just 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.180 give you an 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:37.519 idea. 00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.059 If you 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.359 want to 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:41.920 scare your 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.500 wife to 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.319 death today 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:43.859 and ruin 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.440 her day, 00:20:45.319 --> 00:20:46.720 after church, 00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:47.839 tell her, 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.160 honey, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.619 I forgot 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.039 to tell 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:49.200 you, 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:51.539 I invited 00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:52.519 13 people 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:52.980 to have 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.500 lunch with 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:53.839 us. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:56.019 At home. 00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.180 Jesus is 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.539 walking, 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:01.619 she invites 00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:02.259 him to 00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.740 her house. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:05.339 no wonder 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:06.120 she panics. 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.180 She's not 00:21:09.180 --> 00:21:09.740 just cooking 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:11.599 for herself, 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.420 Mary, 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.940 and Lazarus, 00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:15.599 she's cooking 00:21:15.599 --> 00:21:16.299 for all of 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.480 them. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.819 And she's 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:18.559 scrambling to 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.120 try to find 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.799 food and 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:21.059 all of that. 00:21:22.620 --> 00:21:23.539 But maybe 00:21:23.539 --> 00:21:24.259 on special 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.799 occasions, 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.839 it's okay to 00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:26.460 skip lunch. 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.120 Maybe on 00:21:28.120 --> 00:21:28.839 special occasions, 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.539 it's okay 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:31.559 to do the 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.259 bare minimum 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.519 and sit 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.140 and listen 00:21:34.140 --> 00:21:34.720 to Jesus 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:36.319 teaching. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.640 Maybe that 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.359 is the one 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:39.819 thing that 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:40.700 matters most. 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.200 You don't 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:42.680 have Jesus 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.140 every day. 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.000 They certainly 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.440 didn't have 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:46.119 him every 00:21:46.119 --> 00:21:46.319 day. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.500 It was a 00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:48.099 special occasion. 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:48.420 He was 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:48.839 visiting. 00:21:50.339 --> 00:21:50.859 Which is 00:21:50.859 --> 00:21:51.440 more important, 00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:51.799 to wash 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.240 the dishes 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.579 or to 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:52.960 listen to 00:21:52.960 --> 00:21:53.279 Jesus? 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.539 I would 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.879 like to 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:58.559 suggest a 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:58.900 fourth 00:21:58.900 --> 00:21:59.579 interpretation. 00:21:59.579 --> 00:21:59.639 question. 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.439 But again, 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:02.960 please keep 00:22:02.960 --> 00:22:03.279 in mind, 00:22:03.419 --> 00:22:03.699 these are 00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:03.919 not 00:22:03.919 --> 00:22:04.599 either or. 00:22:05.339 --> 00:22:05.559 They're 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.759 not 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.339 either or. 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.240 They're 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:07.779 all valid. 00:22:08.679 --> 00:22:09.159 Let me 00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:10.359 suggest that 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.259 maybe we 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.220 started in 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:12.659 the wrong 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.240 place. 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.000 Maybe by 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.759 starting in 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:17.419 Luke 10.38, 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.799 that was the 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:19.379 wrong place 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:20.000 to start. 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.119 Maybe we 00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:22.480 should have 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.339 started in 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.740 Luke 10.25. 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.640 So I'm 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:26.839 going to 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.519 go back 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.740 in the 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.400 chapter to 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:29.980 the earlier 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.880 starting point. 00:22:32.140 --> 00:22:32.460 And so 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:32.940 turn with 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.319 me to 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:35.019 Luke 10.25. 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.579 It's a 00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:36.880 familiar 00:22:36.880 --> 00:22:37.620 passage. 00:22:38.900 --> 00:22:39.640 One of the 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.180 most familiar 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:40.880 passages in 00:22:40.880 --> 00:22:41.259 all of the 00:22:41.259 --> 00:22:41.640 Gospels, 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.019 actually. 00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.339 On one 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:43.779 occasion, 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.480 an expert 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:44.859 in the 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.359 law stood 00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:46.299 up to 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.059 test Jesus. 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.140 Teacher, 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.819 he asked, 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:49.700 what must 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:50.200 I do to 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.519 inherit 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:50.940 eternal 00:22:50.940 --> 00:22:51.359 life? 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:52.700 What is 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.120 written in 00:22:53.120 --> 00:22:53.460 the law? 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.059 He replied, 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:54.620 how do 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:54.940 you read 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.160 it? 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.019 He 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.380 answered, 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.640 love the 00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:57.980 Lord your 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.519 God with 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.819 all of 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.340 your heart 00:22:59.340 --> 00:23:00.000 and with 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.299 all of 00:23:00.299 --> 00:23:00.759 your soul 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.180 and with 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:01.440 all of 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:01.940 your strength 00:23:01.940 --> 00:23:02.980 and with 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.299 all of 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:03.779 your mind 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.860 and love 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.340 your neighbor 00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.220 as yourself. 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.720 These are, 00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.039 of course, 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:09.360 the two 00:23:09.360 --> 00:23:09.720 greatest 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.200 commandments. 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:11.759 You've 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.059 answered 00:23:12.059 --> 00:23:12.559 correctly, 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.500 Jesus replied. 00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:14.559 Do this 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:14.940 and you 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.380 will live. 00:23:16.480 --> 00:23:17.000 But he 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.579 wanted to 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.559 justify himself, 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.500 so he 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:20.220 asked Jesus, 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.380 who is my 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:21.779 neighbor? 00:23:22.440 --> 00:23:22.900 If the 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.500 commandment is 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:23.860 love your 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.460 neighbor as 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.100 yourself, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:25.880 then who 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.480 is my 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.940 neighbor? 00:23:28.300 --> 00:23:28.780 And what 00:23:28.780 --> 00:23:29.740 happens next 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:31.259 is the 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.100 parable of 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:32.480 the good 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.040 Samaritan. 00:23:34.340 --> 00:23:35.120 And it 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:35.500 ends with 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:35.940 the question, 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:36.600 who was a 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:37.060 neighbor to 00:23:37.060 --> 00:23:37.560 this man? 00:23:38.320 --> 00:23:38.700 And of 00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:38.900 course, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.340 it was the 00:23:39.340 --> 00:23:39.960 good Samaritan 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.380 who took 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:40.840 care of 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.019 him. 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:41.980 So here 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.320 is a 00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:42.560 wounded 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.200 person who 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:43.460 needs 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:43.759 help. 00:23:44.080 --> 00:23:44.380 The good 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:44.780 Samaritan 00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:45.360 sees him 00:23:45.360 --> 00:23:46.040 and helps 00:23:46.040 --> 00:23:46.240 him. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.180 He was 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:47.519 the good 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:47.820 neighbor. 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:50.200 Look at 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:50.460 what's 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.799 happening 00:23:50.799 --> 00:23:52.700 in verse 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.259 38. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:54.639 As Jesus 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:55.200 and his 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.000 disciples were 00:23:56.000 --> 00:23:56.399 on their 00:23:56.399 --> 00:23:57.419 way, he 00:23:57.419 --> 00:23:57.819 came to 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:58.240 a village 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.720 where a 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.299 woman named 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.200 Martha opened 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.859 her home 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:02.220 to him and 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.039 invited them 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:04.059 to stay and 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:04.379 to have 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:04.639 dinner. 00:24:05.159 --> 00:24:05.779 What is 00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.559 Martha doing? 00:24:07.799 --> 00:24:08.439 She is 00:24:08.439 --> 00:24:09.740 being, she 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.779 is illustrating 00:24:10.779 --> 00:24:11.859 in the real 00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.480 flesh and 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.539 blood a good 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.139 Samaritan. 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.299 Jesus is in 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.279 need, she 00:24:17.279 --> 00:24:17.720 is helping 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.240 him out. 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.440 He needs 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:20.159 food, she 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.019 feeds him, he 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.399 needs shelter, she 00:24:22.399 --> 00:24:23.159 provides him 00:24:23.159 --> 00:24:23.579 shelter. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:26.059 She is being 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.159 like the good 00:24:27.159 --> 00:24:27.759 Samaritan. 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:30.200 She is loving 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.500 her neighbor as 00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.019 herself. 00:24:32.859 --> 00:24:33.700 But when I go 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.319 back to the 00:24:34.319 --> 00:24:36.639 lawyer's answer, 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.039 the answer is 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.720 love the Lord 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.440 your God with 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:39.940 all of your 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:40.579 heart and with 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:41.000 all of your 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.599 soul and with 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.000 all of your 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.200 strength and 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:44.619 love your 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.559 neighbor as 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:46.039 yourself. 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:48.259 the parable of 00:24:48.259 --> 00:24:48.579 the good 00:24:48.579 --> 00:24:49.159 Samaritan 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:50.460 illustrates what 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.240 it means to 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:51.759 love your 00:24:51.759 --> 00:24:52.159 neighbor. 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:54.419 What is it 00:24:54.419 --> 00:24:55.299 like to love 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.839 God? 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.079 Jesus didn't 00:24:58.079 --> 00:24:58.619 give us two 00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.159 parables, he 00:24:59.159 --> 00:24:59.659 only gave us 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.259 one parable. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:02.559 And that 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.579 parable illustrates 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:04.299 loving your 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:04.559 neighbor. 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.339 What about the 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.319 first commandment? 00:25:08.119 --> 00:25:08.799 Love God. 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:12.680 I think what 00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.500 is happening in 00:25:13.500 --> 00:25:15.640 this story about 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.200 Mary and 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.619 Martha is that 00:25:17.619 --> 00:25:18.839 Martha in some 00:25:18.839 --> 00:25:21.720 sense shows how 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:22.319 to love your 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.660 neighbor and 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:25.420 Mary shows how 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.460 to love God. 00:25:27.140 --> 00:25:28.500 So that Mary and 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.559 Martha are designed 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:31.240 to balance each 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:32.400 other and to 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:34.799 illustrate this and 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.160 this. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:37.460 Should we love 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.259 God or should we 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.940 love our neighbor? 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.120 both? 00:25:40.120 --> 00:25:40.140 Both. 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.440 Both. 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.539 Both. 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:47.100 And so when we do 00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:48.740 love God and we do 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:50.740 love our neighbor, both 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.799 of them are scriptural, but 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:54.360 loving God is first. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:57.899 it is more important than 00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:58.639 loving your neighbor 00:25:58.639 --> 00:26:01.159 without minimizing that 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:02.459 loving your neighbor is 00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:03.199 the second greatest 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:03.799 commandment. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:09.059 And so I think this is 00:26:09.059 --> 00:26:10.099 trying to give us 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:12.919 concrete example that 00:26:12.919 --> 00:26:14.059 maybe in the business 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:15.379 of doing things, 00:26:16.219 --> 00:26:17.079 helping your neighbor, 00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:18.559 you know, in this area, 00:26:18.679 --> 00:26:19.719 in that area, in the 00:26:19.719 --> 00:26:21.259 other area, that in the 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.459 process of being very, 00:26:22.579 --> 00:26:23.619 very busy about so many 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:25.919 things, you may forget 00:26:25.919 --> 00:26:26.319 God. 00:26:27.199 --> 00:26:28.539 And you need to stop 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:30.099 and say, God comes 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:31.559 first, I'm going to 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.859 listen to Jesus at his 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:35.639 feet, rather than keep 00:26:35.639 --> 00:26:39.079 doing more good, busy 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.500 things. 00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:44.559 And so the one thing 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:46.559 that I take is to 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:48.559 obey God, keeping in 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:50.779 mind that loving God is 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.799 the greatest commandment 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:53.419 and loving your neighbor 00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:55.259 is your second greatest 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.899 commandment. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:58.480 And we should keep both, 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.519 but remember which is 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:00.859 first. 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:02.659 Amen. 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:05.639 Let's have a word of 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:05.859 prayer. 00:27:05.859 --> 00:27:06.479 prayer. 00:27:06.479 --> 00:27:15.219 Thank you, Father, for this 00:27:15.219 --> 00:27:16.299 wonderful passage in 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:16.679 scriptures. 00:27:17.319 --> 00:27:18.319 Thank you for two 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.759 wonderful sisters and 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:23.139 their brother, whom, in 00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:24.459 whose lives you worked so 00:27:24.459 --> 00:27:27.639 much and in the process 00:27:27.639 --> 00:27:28.959 revealed a lot about 00:27:28.959 --> 00:27:29.299 yourself. 00:27:30.500 --> 00:27:32.159 Thank you because we have 00:27:32.159 --> 00:27:34.139 passages like that to 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:37.160 remind us how to love you 00:27:37.160 --> 00:27:38.880 and how to love our 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:39.160 neighbor. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:41.820 Help us excel in both of 00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.340 them, Father. 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.500 Help us to be godly 00:27:44.500 --> 00:27:44.900 church. 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:47.660 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:47.780 Amen.