Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

Jesus’ earthly ministry was quickly coming to an end.

You see, on this given day He and His disciples had been traveling between villages, and they came to a place called Bethany.

Now Bethany was a familiar place to Jesus.

This is the home of his friend Lazarus - the man He had raised from the dead.

Jesus’ earthly ministry was quickly coming to an end.

You see, on this given day He and His disciples had been traveling between villages, and they came to a place called Bethany.

Now Bethany was a familiar place to Jesus.

This is the home of his friend Lazarus - the man He had raised from the dead.

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?

Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about.

Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?

Tell her to come and help me.”

Jesus’ earthly ministry was quickly coming to an end.

You see, on this given day He and His disciples had been traveling between villages, and they came to a place called Bethany.

Now Bethany was a familiar place to Jesus.

This is the home of his friend Lazarus - the man He had raised from the dead.

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?

Tell her to come and help me.”

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about.

Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

And I believe that it’s quite significant to note, as Dr. Luke is specific with his facts, that the group is heading towards Jerusalem.

And the ultimate reason for them heading in that direction was because Jesus was following the direction of His Father, for He knew that His earthly ministry was drawing to a conclusion.

As was the last

And so it is with that frame of mind that we open up the text this morning in

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village (Bethany) where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

It seems as though Jesus has accepted an invitation from his friend, Martha, to host Him & the disciples for some food, fellowship, & fun - sounds like a Life Group!

And as can be the case most often, there are preparations that need to be made when having people over to the house.

Some of us are better geared for that type of hospitality than others.

For some, they thrive hosting people in their homes.

Others, it is very stressful.

But Martha seems to be up for the task.

I mean, after all, she welcomed Jesus into her home!

That might be a little intimidating for most people!

So as He and the disciples funnel their way into the home, each finding a place to sit, I can imagine the conversation spills over from their journey.

Jesus may have used the opportunity to share more about the parable of the good Samaritan.

Maybe explained more about what it means to love your neighbor as yourself.

And even though we don’t know exactly what Jesus was teaching at that moment - what we do know is that He was teaching.

He was making disciples.

Because verse 39 says...

39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

As we’re imagining these men pouring into the home & finding a place to rest and listen, it’s almost as though we could have missed that this one woman, Mary, understood who it was that happened be in her presence - or that she happened to be in His.

How many people of that day had the opportunity to host Jesus in their home - Zacchaeus, Simon the Pharisee, a few tax collectors, whoever owned the home that the guys busted up the roof to get their friend in front of Jesus (that guy may not have been so happy to have jesus over).

So Mary, against cultural customs, squeezes in between Peter & John so she can have a front row seat with the Son of God.

And Mary just sat there and listened… She was fully consumed in the presence of Jesus.

Her eyes were locked on His as He spoke about the Kingdom of Heaven.

She intently listened as Jesus unpacked the Scriptures .

She consumed word after word without any consideration for what might have been going on around her. And, oh… there was plenty going on around her… Martha… remember?

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work?

Tell her to come and help me.”

Martha was incredibly busy putting together everything - making sure the lamb was roasted to perfection, carefully preparing the vegetables - cooking them just the right amount of time so that they wouldn’t be to soft & mushy, keeping an eye on the bread so that it didn’t burn, cleaning the olives, grapes, & pomegranates, and making sure everything was set to perfection.

Martha is doing all the work - by herself.

Mary is sitting at the feat of Jesus doing nothing to help her sister.

Why is Mary just sitting while I’m out here doing all the work?

You ever been there?

You ever think some of those thoughts?

You ever find yourself looking around wondering what everyone is or isn’t doing?

I hope she don’t think that she’s going to get any credit for this meal?

I hope she don’t think that she’s going to be eating any of this meal?

You know what, this ain’t right; I’m being taken advantage of; they don’t care that I’m out here slaving over everything while they just sit in there and talk; they don’t value me or my work ethic; you know what… I’ve had about enough of this! Jesus better do something!

Not only that, but Martha told Jesus exactly what He should do about it.

Nothing like bossing Jesus around?!

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!

But Jesus doesn’t give her the answer she was looking for.

He handles it so well.

I wouldn’t have done it that way.

I may have thought about saying, “Girl you best get out of my face!”

But Jesus says, “My dear Martha.”

I don’t believe this is sarcastic-Jesus.

He’s being sincere.

He’s showing love.

He’s trying to teach her something, but do it with the grace that only Jesus can.

He’s using this as a discipleship opportunity.

42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about.

Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In fact, Martha, (and here’s the main point this morning) you are worried and upset over all these details, but there’s really only ONE THING worth being concerned about.

It isn’t found in pulling off a big dinner; It isn’t about being the hostess with the most-ess.

Mary has discovered it, and I’m not going to take it away from her.

Tyndale House Publishers.

(2013).

Holy Bible: New Living Translation ().

Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Tyndale House Publishers.

(2013).

Holy Bible: New Living Translation ().

Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

Martha had an agenda - She had a plan & was going to make sure that everything she planned got done.

Did Jesus ask for all that Martha wanted to pull off?

Mary had an agenda as well - her sole focus was worshipping Jesus