WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.440 Turn back in your Bibles to Luke chapter 10 and we'll read again that short passage about Martha and Mary. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:14.480 ! Let us hear the word of our Lord. 00:00:15.599 --> 00:00:16.199 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.979 But Martha was distracted with much serving. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:39.320 She went up to him and said, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:42.679 Tell her then to help me. 00:00:43.480 --> 00:00:50.939 But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:53.600 But one thing is necessary. 00:00:53.600 --> 00:01:00.359 Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her. 00:01:00.679 --> 00:01:01.660 Let us pray. 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:06.099 Father, what we know not, please teach us. 00:01:07.240 --> 00:01:10.020 And what we have not, please give us. 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:14.099 And what we are not, please make us. 00:01:14.099 --> 00:01:24.159 For the sake of your Son, our Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever praised, world without end. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:25.739 Amen. 00:01:25.739 --> 00:01:35.079 Well, I wonder if you've ever been at someone's house as a guest when there was a domestic tiff, an argument. 00:01:36.039 --> 00:01:37.619 You know, you're there as a guest. 00:01:38.060 --> 00:01:42.619 You're having a meal and the husband and the wife start having a wee argument in front of you. 00:01:42.699 --> 00:01:48.739 Or one of the kids is disobedient and then you need to, the parent needs to take them away and discipline them. 00:01:49.179 --> 00:01:50.259 It's awkward, isn't it? 00:01:50.260 --> 00:01:56.359 I had such an experience a number of years ago in the house of my friends Clark and Lee. 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:00.640 They'd just been married and I called in after their honeymoon to see them. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:02.859 And they invited me to stay for dinner. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:07.240 And there we were having this lovely dinner and enjoying catching up. 00:02:07.320 --> 00:02:11.200 And the next thing the doorbell goes and it's Clark's business partner. 00:02:11.640 --> 00:02:15.599 And he comes in with his wife and about a five, six-year-old son. 00:02:16.099 --> 00:02:17.540 And they get invited for dinner. 00:02:17.539 --> 00:02:21.359 And so there we all are sitting around having this lovely dinner together. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:28.639 And then near the end of the dinner the father decides it would be a good idea to take the boy and introduce him to Clark's dog. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:31.159 Who's in the back room off the kitchen. 00:02:32.079 --> 00:02:36.459 Now what was behind the door, boys and girls, was not a pet poodle. 00:02:37.599 --> 00:02:41.000 It was a big boxer dog. 00:02:41.699 --> 00:02:44.719 And when I say big I mean big and excitable. 00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:47.819 Well there we are talking away at the table. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.340 And next thing we hear this scream. 00:02:51.300 --> 00:02:58.159 And the boy appears in the living room running as fast as he can with this dog slipping all over the kitchen tiles. 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:01.139 Running after him and the dad chasing the dog. 00:03:01.240 --> 00:03:02.879 And Clark's jumping up from the table. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:07.079 And the boy runs and jumps into his mother's arms crying and screaming. 00:03:07.259 --> 00:03:08.800 And the dog's jumping up at him. 00:03:08.800 --> 00:03:13.820 And then she flips out and shouts at her husband. 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:16.960 You always take it a step too far. 00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:19.860 Which all the wives here say amen. 00:03:21.600 --> 00:03:21.880 Right? 00:03:22.420 --> 00:03:26.020 And next thing they just start this full on argument. 00:03:26.480 --> 00:03:28.740 Back and forth shouting at each other. 00:03:29.260 --> 00:03:30.320 It was so awkward. 00:03:30.460 --> 00:03:31.420 I mean what do you do? 00:03:32.180 --> 00:03:33.820 Anyone for a pickled onion? 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:35.819 They're really nice. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:40.459 I mean what do you do when you're caught in the middle of a domestic tiff? 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:43.819 Well the one thing you don't do is take sides. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:46.659 Can you imagine that day I'd said. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:47.879 Do you know what mate? 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:48.859 I'm with your wife. 00:03:48.979 --> 00:03:49.699 I think you did. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:50.840 Taking a step too far. 00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:53.180 Or you imagine I said to the wife. 00:03:53.299 --> 00:03:53.479 Look. 00:03:54.039 --> 00:03:55.740 Stop being a stress merchant. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:03:56.599 Just relax. 00:03:56.979 --> 00:03:59.799 Just give the boy to the dog and we can all have our dinner. 00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:03.079 Just relax. 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:05.700 But if you're ever caught in a domestic tiff. 00:04:05.760 --> 00:04:07.480 What's the one thing you don't do? 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:10.840 You do not take sides. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:15.320 Well Luke tells us the story of Jesus. 00:04:15.720 --> 00:04:17.920 Caught in a domestic tiff. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:20.780 An awkward moment between two sisters. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:21.639 Mary and Martha. 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:26.500 But it's a domestic tiff in which Jesus takes a side. 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:32.080 And out of which Jesus brings a profound lesson for our Christian lives. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:33.680 The story is quite simple. 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:35.560 It's only four verses long. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:38.219 But the point of the story is often missed. 00:04:38.719 --> 00:04:43.759 Because we tend to read this story as an either or choice that Mary and Martha faced. 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:53.159 On a superficial reading we tend to think of this story as a story about the choice between serving and listening. 00:04:53.419 --> 00:04:56.299 Between the busy life and the quiet life. 00:04:56.419 --> 00:05:00.299 Between the hyperactive life and the contemplative life. 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:04.960 But a closer look at the story reveals that that's not the point at all. 00:05:05.620 --> 00:05:11.220 In fact we really only get Jesus' point if we first feel the tension of this disagreement. 00:05:11.420 --> 00:05:14.439 And understand why Martha gets so upset. 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:21.160 Because the case that Martha brings to Jesus about her sister's actions is not without good grounds. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:22.860 Picture the scene. 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:26.840 Martha has invited Jesus and his disciples into her home. 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:27.980 Verse 38. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:29.360 She's the host. 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:32.240 And therefore the pressure rests on her shoulders. 00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:34.480 And what a pressure it is. 00:05:34.759 --> 00:05:39.020 At the very least there are 13 men staying in her home. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:41.319 All with hungry mouths to feed. 00:05:41.740 --> 00:05:42.780 Because they're men. 00:05:42.980 --> 00:05:47.280 And then secondly because they're on a journey with Jesus up to Jerusalem. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:50.959 The numbers alone would bring some stress into the home. 00:05:51.519 --> 00:05:52.679 There are rooms to prepare. 00:05:52.939 --> 00:05:54.039 There's water to fetch. 00:05:54.199 --> 00:05:55.299 There's food to buy. 00:05:55.439 --> 00:05:55.899 Prepare. 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:56.559 Cook. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:57.299 Serve. 00:05:57.659 --> 00:05:58.539 Then clean up. 00:05:59.239 --> 00:06:07.819 Any person here who regularly practices hospitality or entertains guests knows exactly how Martha would have felt. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:11.479 Now adds in a mix the issue of Mary. 00:06:11.819 --> 00:06:13.199 Verse 39. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:20.680 And she had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:27.680 Now we don't really feel the offense of what Mary does here in our 21st century western world. 00:06:28.139 --> 00:06:35.180 But at best Mary's actions are culturally inappropriate and downright insensitive and thoughtless. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:39.719 In this culture women were generally not allowed to be disciples. 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:45.980 Yet Mary's posture of sitting at the feet of Jesus was the posture of a disciple. 00:06:46.400 --> 00:06:53.760 Do you remember Paul in Acts 22 said that he sat at the feet of Gamaliel, his teacher. 00:06:54.340 --> 00:06:57.080 This was the position and posture of a disciple. 00:06:57.640 --> 00:07:00.720 And in this culture only men were allowed to be disciples of rabbis. 00:07:01.700 --> 00:07:04.640 Only men should sit at Jesus' feet. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:10.939 Yet here is Mary sitting herself at Jesus' feet and listening to his word. 00:07:11.479 --> 00:07:14.659 So it is outside the bounds of cultural etiquette. 00:07:15.459 --> 00:07:17.899 But that isn't actually Martha's beef. 00:07:19.360 --> 00:07:23.759 Martha's beef is not that Mary is being so culturally insensitive, Lord. 00:07:25.060 --> 00:07:29.939 No, Martha's beef is that Mary has left her alone to serve. 00:07:30.159 --> 00:07:31.500 Do you see that in verse 40? 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:36.560 Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:42.240 Because in this culture women prepared and served food in a home. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:43.980 It was simply the dumb thing. 00:07:44.100 --> 00:07:46.240 Men sat, women served. 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.439 That was the culture. 00:07:48.220 --> 00:07:50.579 Now this hit home to me a couple of years ago. 00:07:50.699 --> 00:07:51.420 I was in Malawi. 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:53.920 And after church we went to the minister's home. 00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:57.480 And as we came in he sort of ushered us into the living room. 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:58.420 And there we all were. 00:07:59.080 --> 00:08:03.819 These men who had come from Australia to teach the Bible for two weeks in Malawi. 00:08:04.040 --> 00:08:05.400 We were all sitting in the living room. 00:08:05.520 --> 00:08:11.759 And his daughters and wife sat at the doorway of the living room on the floor in the corridor. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:16.040 Well, we got up and said, please come and take these seats. 00:08:16.040 --> 00:08:17.060 And he was like, no. 00:08:17.780 --> 00:08:25.500 In my culture men sit and women sit in the hallway and they will serve us the food when it is ready. 00:08:25.960 --> 00:08:27.100 It was the cultural thing. 00:08:27.160 --> 00:08:34.480 And we were the ones being culturally offensive to him because of us trying to invite his wife and sister daughters into the room. 00:08:35.220 --> 00:08:37.460 And it was the same in Jesus' culture. 00:08:37.620 --> 00:08:41.920 Women helped in the kitchen and left the men to talk in the living room. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:46.779 And as a woman, you did not go into the main room and sit yourself down. 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:51.120 And yet here's Mary in the main room sitting listening to Jesus. 00:08:51.599 --> 00:08:54.299 Leaving Martha all alone in the kitchen. 00:08:54.860 --> 00:08:58.339 Martha's annoyance is surely understandable then. 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:02.759 There are at least 13 hungry men to feed. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:07.819 And it's not like Mary is an invited guest who might be relieved of helping. 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:15.440 No, she's the host's sister of all the people in the house who should see the work that needs to be done. 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:16.720 It's the sister. 00:09:17.540 --> 00:09:19.860 Not the sister-in-law, but the sister. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:25.820 How can Mary think it's reasonable to leave Martha on her own to prepare everything? 00:09:27.260 --> 00:09:30.840 Well, given Mary's thoughtlessness, Martha's had enough. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:32.120 Verse 40. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:35.879 Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:38.940 Tell her then to help me. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.700 Her question to Jesus is rhetorical. 00:09:41.820 --> 00:09:43.340 She's expecting the answer yes. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:47.620 Lord, you care, don't you, that my sister has left me? 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:49.080 Yes, you do. 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:51.240 Well, therefore, tell her to help me. 00:09:52.100 --> 00:09:56.039 Notice how Martha stopped referring to her sister by her name. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:59.419 She's just now a her, not a Mary. 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:02.339 Mary, the command is terse, it's to the point. 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:04.199 It increases the tension. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:09.759 As one commentator puts it, Martha is miffed with Mary. 00:10:11.379 --> 00:10:12.439 Theologically profound. 00:10:13.459 --> 00:10:15.219 But it gets to the point, doesn't it? 00:10:15.319 --> 00:10:17.179 Martha is miffed with Mary. 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:19.599 Now, you can feel the tension, can't you? 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:21.579 It's no small matter. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.179 Do you feel for Martha? 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:24.659 Do you get her issue? 00:10:24.959 --> 00:10:26.779 Do you see why she's got a bee in her bonnet? 00:10:27.099 --> 00:10:28.559 It's a legitimate one, isn't it? 00:10:28.559 --> 00:10:36.599 Given the cultural etiquette, given there's 1,300 men to feed, provide for, Martha's got a point, doesn't she? 00:10:38.839 --> 00:10:40.619 Well, actually, no, she doesn't. 00:10:41.399 --> 00:10:44.619 And that's what's so shocking about this story. 00:10:45.299 --> 00:10:47.799 Jesus is not on her side. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:50.079 He's on Mary's side. 00:10:50.859 --> 00:10:52.139 Look at verse 41. 00:10:52.139 --> 00:11:02.120 But the Lord answered her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:08.460 Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:14.019 We see Jesus' tenderness to Martha in that double pronouncement of her name. 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:15.860 Martha, Martha. 00:11:16.780 --> 00:11:20.420 He conveys affection and emotion here towards her. 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:22.080 He's not on her side. 00:11:22.160 --> 00:11:23.759 He's about to offer a rebuke. 00:11:24.060 --> 00:11:26.759 But he couches his words with love and affection. 00:11:27.740 --> 00:11:29.240 Martha, Martha. 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:32.100 But then comes the stinging rebuke. 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:39.040 You are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is necessary. 00:11:39.899 --> 00:11:44.440 You see the way Jesus positions the words many and one in contrast to each other? 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:48.060 In the original Greek, they are literally side by side. 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:52.680 You're troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. 00:11:54.420 --> 00:12:00.440 And the one thing clearly relates to Mary sitting at Jesus' feet listening to his teaching. 00:12:00.440 --> 00:12:08.460 Mary has chosen that one thing that is better, the spiritual food of Jesus' word. 00:12:08.780 --> 00:12:16.880 And we see that the idea of food is still here because there is this word portion, which conveys the theme of food. 00:12:17.140 --> 00:12:22.560 Just like in our culture, we'd say to someone, do you want a portion of carrots or a portion of Brussels sprouts? 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:24.440 Well, so too in their culture. 00:12:24.540 --> 00:12:26.880 A portion was a portion of food. 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:32.639 In other words, Mary has chosen to be involved in another kind of meal. 00:12:33.460 --> 00:12:34.600 A meal with Jesus. 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:39.759 It may be that there's an allusion here to Deuteronomy 8 verse 3. 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:45.899 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:50.320 But I think there's a closer allusion, and that is to some of the Psalms. 00:12:50.320 --> 00:12:54.520 Psalm 73 verse 25 and 26. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.240 Whom have I in heaven but you? 00:12:57.620 --> 00:13:00.600 And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 00:13:01.100 --> 00:13:09.420 My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:12.120 Or Psalm 16 verse 5. 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:15.160 The Lord is my chosen portion. 00:13:15.159 --> 00:13:23.860 And here is Jesus referring to what Mary is doing, listening to his word, as her choosing the good portion. 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:30.519 In other words, Mary is feasting on Christ and his word. 00:13:31.459 --> 00:13:35.740 When this is your food, Martha, it won't be taken away from you. 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:39.279 See, Martha has failed to do the one necessary thing. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:44.100 To listen in humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:49.559 The idea of humble submission comes from Mary's posture, sitting at the Lord's feet. 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:54.120 And this is what Mary has chosen and what Martha has missed. 00:13:54.839 --> 00:13:58.199 Listening in humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:02.459 But we mustn't misunderstand Jesus' point. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.399 He isn't presenting Martha with an either-or choice. 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:07.659 Serving or listening. 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:09.839 Busyness or quietness. 00:14:10.719 --> 00:14:13.339 Hyperactivity or contemplation. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:20.240 There are a number of things in the passage that show us that Jesus isn't giving Martha an either-or choice. 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.219 Look at verse 42 again. 00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:24.319 But one thing is necessary. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:29.939 Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:33.879 Jesus is not lambasting Martha for doing the wrong thing. 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.939 He hasn't said, Martha, Martha. 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:38.120 Mary is doing what is right. 00:14:38.260 --> 00:14:39.500 You're doing what's wrong. 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:42.980 No, he simply says that Mary has chosen what is good. 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:47.720 Or, as some translations put it, Mary has chosen what is better. 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.860 She's chosen the better portion. 00:14:51.520 --> 00:14:55.340 Which means that what Martha is doing at one level is good and right. 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:56.680 It's just not best. 00:14:56.679 --> 00:15:01.979 Jesus' issue with Martha is that she is worried and upset by many things. 00:15:02.559 --> 00:15:05.799 Not that the many things in themselves are wrong. 00:15:06.679 --> 00:15:10.059 Jesus is not saying to Martha, we don't need a meal, Martha. 00:15:10.479 --> 00:15:12.379 Just come and join the Bible study. 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.479 Forget the beetroot. 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.820 It's all about the Bible. 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.420 That's not what he's saying. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:19.440 Jesus isn't a Platonist. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:24.620 He didn't have a separation in his theology between the physical and the spiritual. 00:15:25.220 --> 00:15:27.620 As if food didn't matter to him. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:30.300 Just the spiritual things mattered. 00:15:30.639 --> 00:15:37.440 When you read the Gospels, one of the things you see is that Jesus literally eats his way through the Gospels. 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:41.240 Whenever you see Jesus in the Gospels, what's he doing? 00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:41.840 He's eating. 00:15:43.700 --> 00:15:46.760 Read the Gospels and what's the main accusation against him? 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:49.980 That he was a glutton and a drunkard. 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:53.540 Which means he enjoyed his food enough to be accused of being a glutton. 00:15:53.940 --> 00:15:57.260 And he enjoyed his wine enough to be accused of being a drunkard. 00:15:58.220 --> 00:15:59.680 Jesus loved his wine. 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:01.800 He loved his lamb steak. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.480 He was the man of Ecclesiastes. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.640 Par excellence. 00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:07.360 He knew what it was. 00:16:07.760 --> 00:16:10.400 To enjoy his wine and his food and his sleep. 00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:14.300 So he was not opposed to food. 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:18.080 In fact, if you look back at chapter 10 verse 8. 00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:20.580 He's expecting some food. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:25.440 He says to his disciples, whenever you enter a town and they receive you. 00:16:25.780 --> 00:16:28.740 Eat what is set before you. 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:32.500 Jesus is speaking to his disciples as they go out on mission. 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:36.080 He says, when you go into someone's house, they're going to give you some food and eat it. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:41.560 And here he is, verse 38, entering Martha's house on a journey. 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.800 So he's expecting some food. 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:50.439 He's not a male chauvinist. 00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:54.780 Martha would have had to produce a meal for 13 hungry men. 00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:59.879 So when he says, Martha, Martha, only one thing is needed. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:05.579 He's not saying, stop fretting about the beetroot and come and feast on the Bible. 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:07.579 That's not what he's saying. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:10.839 He's expecting a meal from Martha. 00:17:10.839 --> 00:17:18.839 Indeed, when we look closer at the text, we see that Mary was most likely initially serving alongside Martha. 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:21.000 Look again at verse 40. 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:31.139 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? 00:17:32.079 --> 00:17:33.319 Now, what does that imply? 00:17:33.819 --> 00:17:36.199 That Mary initially served with her. 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:38.919 She left me to serve alone. 00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:40.840 It's not that she never helped. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:44.160 It's that she's left me in the middle of serving. 00:17:45.140 --> 00:17:46.640 That's the nuance here. 00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:51.039 Jesus isn't presenting Martha with an either or, serving or listening. 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.800 Busy life or quiet life. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:58.440 No, Mary chose to serve and then listen. 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:02.120 But her listening ordered her serving. 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:06.120 Her listening gave perspective and proportion to her serving. 00:18:06.119 --> 00:18:10.119 Martha's serving consumed her listening. 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:14.059 And in the end, she lost all perspective and proportion. 00:18:14.699 --> 00:18:17.099 And that, in a nutshell, is what this story is all about. 00:18:17.219 --> 00:18:18.239 It's about perspective. 00:18:18.879 --> 00:18:20.319 It's about proportion. 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.639 It's about order. 00:18:22.479 --> 00:18:23.739 It's about priorities. 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:26.559 It's about this in one sentence. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:35.179 The many important things of life need to be ordered by the one necessary thing in life. 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:39.319 Listening and humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:18:39.679 --> 00:18:40.480 Let me say it again. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:50.940 The many important things of life need to be ordered, prioritized by the one necessary thing in life. 00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:55.279 Listening and humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:18:55.680 --> 00:19:05.319 And when we do that, when we allow the many important things in life to be ordered by, prioritized by, listening and humble submission to the word of the Lord, 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:07.599 then life is not so complicated. 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:11.700 And that's the one necessary thing that's needed. 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:16.619 Because the ear gives perspective and proportion to the hand. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:19.639 It's ear first, then hand. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:24.759 And when we get the order right, then we have chosen the better thing. 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:29.819 Now I think this story is so helpful for us. 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:32.559 Because we live in a hyperactive world, don't we? 00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:35.279 Where busyness is the new business of life. 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:42.539 And I'm sure even as you've sat here this morning, you've thought of things that you need to do tomorrow or this week. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:45.119 Texts and emails that need to be sent. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.660 Food that needs to be bought. 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:48.980 Children that need collected from school. 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:51.200 Exams that require revision. 00:19:51.920 --> 00:19:53.279 Arrangements that need to be kept. 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:59.500 But the first thing we need to recognize is that the Lord Jesus does not present us with an either or choice. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.579 When we're faced with all of those things. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:07.279 He doesn't say, forget about all those earthly, temporal, fleeting things that you're doing. 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.759 Just read your Bible. 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:11.839 That's not what he's saying to us this morning. 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:15.359 No, he knows about the many important things. 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:20.619 He knew Martha had to prepare a meal for him and his disciples. 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:24.539 He knows our important things. 00:20:25.179 --> 00:20:26.919 The nappies that need to be changed. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:28.839 The school runs that need to happen. 00:20:29.219 --> 00:20:30.419 The lunches to make. 00:20:30.519 --> 00:20:31.539 The meals to cook. 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:33.559 The exams to revise for. 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:36.500 The emails in the inbox that keep piling up. 00:20:36.619 --> 00:20:37.759 The clothes to clean. 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.819 The grass to cut. 00:20:39.239 --> 00:20:41.259 The shopping that needs done. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.700 The discipline in the home. 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:44.900 The family relative to care for. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.660 He knows your to-do list. 00:20:47.799 --> 00:20:49.339 And he's not anti it. 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:52.480 He doesn't ask you to just bin it and read your Bible. 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:56.819 He doesn't encourage monasticism. 00:20:56.819 --> 00:21:08.579 Now, what he says to us this morning is that the many important things of life need to be prioritized by the one necessary thing in life. 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:13.299 Listening and humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:19.639 And when you do that, then those other things start to fall into their proper place. 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:22.360 We see it with Mary. 00:21:23.020 --> 00:21:28.220 She centers and orders her serving around the one necessary thing. 00:21:28.560 --> 00:21:31.680 Of listening and humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:33.900 It's not that she doesn't serve at all. 00:21:34.040 --> 00:21:35.360 It's that she served initially. 00:21:35.840 --> 00:21:38.420 And then realized that Jesus is in the front room. 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:39.540 And I'm going to go listen. 00:21:40.120 --> 00:21:43.920 And I'm going to get my serving in proportion to the listening. 00:21:45.280 --> 00:21:48.360 Mary, if you like, made Christ her portion. 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:51.559 And therefore she kept everything else in proportion. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:53.919 She made Christ her portion. 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:56.979 And therefore kept everything else in proportion. 00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:03.599 And unless we do the one necessary thing of listening and humble submission to the word of the Lord. 00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:06.699 Then our lives start to spin out of control. 00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:13.179 We start to lose perspective and proportion on those many important things. 00:22:13.180 --> 00:22:18.460 Now in case you think this is a sermon about the quiet time. 00:22:19.860 --> 00:22:22.420 Notice where Mary is. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:27.039 She's not having a wee one-on-one Bible study here in the conservatory. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:32.259 She's in a room full of men sitting at Jesus' feet. 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:36.380 She's listening in humble submission to the word of the Lord in community. 00:22:36.380 --> 00:22:38.660 Mary's at church. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.360 Think about it. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:42.200 She's sitting at the feet of Jesus. 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.380 The head of the church. 00:22:43.700 --> 00:22:44.500 With the apostles. 00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:45.920 Either side. 00:22:46.400 --> 00:22:47.360 Mary's at church. 00:22:48.200 --> 00:22:49.540 Quiet times are great. 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:54.260 I think we live in an age when our personal walk with the Lord is often downplayed. 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:57.780 It's good to have a time in the day when we read and pray. 00:22:57.779 --> 00:23:03.899 But the priority in the Bible is not quiet times but church times. 00:23:05.079 --> 00:23:09.220 That's where we hear the word of the Lord and should sit in humble submission. 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:13.720 Getting together as believers and listening to Jesus speak through his word. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:19.639 That's why there's something healthy about the rhythm of the Lord's day every week. 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:23.799 It's a time for us to get our perspective right again. 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:28.680 To order the many important things that we need to do in our lives. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:33.299 But I want to close by asking a question. 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:39.740 And that is, how did Martha lose perspective while Mary kept perspective? 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:44.599 How did Martha lose perspective while Mary kept perspective? 00:23:46.319 --> 00:23:51.839 Remember many years ago, John MacArthur, the American pastor in California, 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:55.439 telling the story of the time he was at a pastor's fraternal 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:57.679 and he got talking to a charismatic pastor 00:23:57.679 --> 00:24:01.519 who told him that every morning when he woke up 00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:03.579 and was in the bathroom shaving, 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:06.419 Jesus would come into the bathroom and they would talk together. 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:09.539 Well, if you know who John MacArthur is, 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:13.339 that's the wrong person to tell that story to. 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:15.720 John MacArthur wrote a book called Charismatic Chaos. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:19.720 And it wasn't positive towards the charismatic movement. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:23.640 So here's this pastor telling him that every morning Jesus comes in 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:25.039 and they talk together in the bathroom. 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:26.600 And John MacArthur looks at him and says, 00:24:27.460 --> 00:24:31.319 Can I just ask you, do you mean Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.799 who died and rose again, comes into your bathroom 00:24:34.799 --> 00:24:37.000 and talks with you when you're shaving in the morning? 00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.120 He said, yes. 00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:41.019 He said, let me just get this right. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:43.759 You're telling me that Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:47.440 born of a virgin, lived in Palestine, 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:51.519 comes into your bathroom, who was crucified, risen, 00:24:52.079 --> 00:24:53.740 exalted to the Father's right hand, 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:55.799 comes into your bathroom and speaks to you? 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:57.079 He said, yes. 00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:59.420 He said, let me just get this right. 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:01.180 You're saying that Jesus Christ, 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.819 born of a virgin, lived in Nazareth, 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:06.099 crucified, died, risen, exalted, 00:25:06.099 --> 00:25:10.059 before whom angels worship and demons tremble, 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:14.219 comes into your bathroom and talks to you while you're shaving? 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.399 And the charismatic pastor said, 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:18.639 Yes, it sounds like you don't believe me. 00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:21.339 To which John MacArthur said, 00:25:21.419 --> 00:25:23.179 I've only got one question for you. 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:26.079 Do you keep shaving? 00:25:30.719 --> 00:25:32.399 And then MacArthur says to him, 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:35.080 If Jesus Christ of Nazareth, 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.580 who was crucified, risen, 00:25:37.080 --> 00:25:38.960 and is exalted to the Father's right hand, 00:25:39.060 --> 00:25:40.920 came into my bathroom while I was shaving, 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:45.120 I would fall on my knees and worship him. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:49.560 Because when you realize who Jesus Christ is, 00:25:49.780 --> 00:25:51.000 when he's in your home, 00:25:52.320 --> 00:25:53.580 then you act differently. 00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:58.019 And that's why Martha lost perspective. 00:25:58.900 --> 00:26:00.800 And Mary kept her perspective. 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:05.259 Because Martha didn't realize who was in her home. 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.180 But Mary did. 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:11.799 In fact, it's interesting that three times in these four verses, 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.980 the title Lord is used. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:17.659 But in verse 40, when Martha speaks in one verse, 00:26:18.099 --> 00:26:20.180 three times she speaks about herself. 00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:24.879 She's lost all perspective of who's in the house. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:28.180 And it's all about me, me, me, me, me, me, me. 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:31.700 Martha, Martha, 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:34.299 he whom angels worship, 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:37.060 and before whom demons tremble, 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:37.900 is in your home. 00:26:38.680 --> 00:26:40.240 And you're worried about the potatoes. 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:43.080 How does Jesus like his potatoes? 00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:45.340 Does he like them baked or fried? 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.600 Should we boil them? 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:48.220 Should we grill them? 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:49.360 How should we do the potatoes? 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.420 Martha, Martha, 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.960 prophets and kings 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:55.220 wanted to see what you see 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.539 and to hear 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:58.519 what you have the chance to hear. 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:01.100 Prophets and kings, Martha. 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:03.340 But you're worried about the cauliflower. 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:06.160 Should we do it with cream or just plain? 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.500 How should we serve the cauliflower? 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.720 Martha, Martha, 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:10.860 the queen of Sheba 00:27:10.860 --> 00:27:12.860 came from the ends of the earth 00:27:12.860 --> 00:27:13.460 to listen, 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.180 to listen 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.220 to Solomon. 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:18.100 And one greater than Solomon 00:27:18.100 --> 00:27:20.220 is in your front living room. 00:27:21.240 --> 00:27:22.180 And you're worried about 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.180 the banana fritters. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.460 Martha, Martha, 00:27:28.120 --> 00:27:29.920 in light of my identity, 00:27:30.980 --> 00:27:32.720 a simple meal 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:34.319 would have done. 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:36.480 And then you could have come 00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.559 and had another meal 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:40.259 that will never be taken away from you. 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:42.319 Because, Martha, 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.180 when you realize 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:44.079 who I am, 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:46.339 then I am 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:47.400 your portion. 00:27:49.799 --> 00:27:50.779 See, Martha lost 00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:51.700 all perspective 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:53.519 because she lost 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.900 the identity 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.559 of Jesus. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.879 The Lord, 00:27:56.980 --> 00:27:57.660 the one upon whom 00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:58.759 the end of the ages 00:27:58.759 --> 00:28:00.559 had dawned. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:02.240 The savior of the world 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.299 was in her home. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.079 But she was more worried 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.779 about whether it was 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:07.940 cream or ice cream 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:09.379 would the apple crumble. 00:28:09.380 --> 00:28:11.100 Mary, on the other hand, 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:13.520 she knew who he was. 00:28:14.420 --> 00:28:15.460 And so she sat 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.340 and listened. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:19.100 Well, brothers and sisters, 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:19.840 as we gather 00:28:19.840 --> 00:28:21.060 Sunday by Sunday 00:28:21.060 --> 00:28:22.060 during the week 00:28:22.060 --> 00:28:22.920 in our home groups 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:25.100 to sit in humble submission 00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:25.980 to the word of the Lord, 00:28:26.060 --> 00:28:27.020 let us never forget 00:28:27.020 --> 00:28:27.680 who it is 00:28:27.680 --> 00:28:29.380 who speaks to us 00:28:29.380 --> 00:28:30.600 through his word. 00:28:31.120 --> 00:28:32.980 It is our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:33.260 --> 00:28:34.760 the King of glory 00:28:34.760 --> 00:28:37.240 before whom angels worship 00:28:37.240 --> 00:28:39.920 and demons tremble. 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.779 And when we remember that 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.140 and listen in humble submission, 00:28:43.960 --> 00:28:45.180 then it helps us keep 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.599 the many important things 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.120 in life 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:49.180 in right perspective. 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:51.900 Let us pray. 00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:52.480 Let us pray. 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:52.480 00:28:52.480 --> 00:29:22.460 Thank you.