5 Lessons from Martha and Mary (4min)
Article by Jerame Nelson
I believe there’s a little bit of Mary and a little bit of Martha in all of us! Traditionally when we come across this story in Luke 10, we are taught about “doing” versus “being.” I believe there is truth to that, however I also believe that we all need to be with God and we need to do as we take our place in the Kingdom! Here are 5 lessons we can learn from the story of Martha and Mary:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you carethat my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42 NIV
1. Ask yourself: Am I distracted or am I listening?
Luke 10 is a story is about “distractions” versus “listening.” Jesus shows up unannounced at his friends’ house. Remember that Lazarus, Martha and Mary where close to Jesus. When He comes by unexpectedly, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet. Mary understands that the God of the universe is in her living room. Martha thinks that she needs to make a meal worthy of the King, so she starts working and begins to get upset because Mary’s choice was to sit at His feet and listen.
2. Is doing stuff for Jesus keeping you from Him?
Go a little deeper! Watch Jerame’s message “Mary and Martha” from Night 1298 from the Fire and Glory Outpouring in San Diego!
When Jesus addresses the situation, He says, “Martha! Martha! You are worried and upset about many things.” The Bible says that she was distracted by all the preparations.
Whenever Jesus says someone’s name twice in the Word, it means that He cares about them. We read His words: “Jerusalem! Jerusalem!” “Saul! Saul!” “Simon! Simon!” It’s important to understand that Jesus wasn’t rebuking Martha in a vicious way. He was speaking to her in an endearing way.
Did you know that your doing stuff for Jesus can keep you from Jesus if you’re not careful? I don’t think Jesus was expecting an eight-course meal from Martha. He went to their house to hang out with their family in friendship. Jesus was looking for Martha’s attention. She did not need to be overwhelmed with feast preparations.
3. There is a balance between listening and doing. We need both!
We need to recognize when God is in the room. God is looking for a generation that will recognize the moments when it is time to be with Him. Watch for the time to focus on Him. When you hear his wooing, sit and listen to His voice. At the same time, we cannot sit all the time because we have to go get the work of the Kingdom done! I believe that there will be a healthy balance in the church where we both listen and do.
4. Ask Jesus what He wants you to do and do it! (Don’t try to do everything!)
What areas in your life are frustrating you or distracting you? Martha was distracted by all the things she thought she had to do. God wants to identify in our hearts what we do for Him and what we need to do for Him. Some of us have bitten off more than we can chew. You don’t need to take over the world. Jesus is the Savior of the World. He’s just asking you to come and be with Him.
5. You already have a seat at the Lord’s table. Take your place as a child of God!
Listen to “Identity Releases and Open Heaven” (Ep. 22) of the Elisha School Podcast with Jerame Nelson!
I believe Martha thought the only way she could come to the table of the Lord was to make Him a meal and bring it to Him. She had a mindset where she believed she had to earn her relationship with God. She had to do something to get a place at His table.
As a son, I never have to beg my mom and my dad if I can sit down and eat at their table. When you are born into the family of God, you don’t have to try to earn a place. You already have a seat at the table.
You are born into your Father’s Kingdom. Your place is set.
That’s what Mary stepped into. Mary understood that she was a part of the family. She knew she was a daughter and knew her place was to spend time with the King! Martha was distracted with how to get to the table she already had a place at. You do not have to do stuff in order to earn His love. You already have His love 100%.
Keep it Simple…
I want to encourage you to get stuff done for the Kingdom, but don’t get distracted by what you think you have to do. Take your place as a son or daughter at the table of the Lord, listen and spend time with Jesus!
Watch the trailer to the “Divine Visitation” Elisha Lab with Jerame Nelson and John E. Thomas, available for purchase today! Divine encounters and visitations are readily available for all of God’s people. Choose to sit at His feet and listen like Mary did!
