LISTENING TO THE LORD

Passage: Luke 10:38-42

Key verse: 42

NIV

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha(A) opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,(B) who sat at the Lord’s feet(C) listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care(D) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried(E) and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a](F) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named (A)Martha (B)welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called (C)Mary, who (D)sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are (E)anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen (F)the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:38 Greek he
  2. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Martha was distracted (38-4 ) Jesus and his disciples were welcomed at the home of Martha and Mary. Both had a close relationship with Jesus. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to what he said. As a responsible and loving host, Martha was busy preparing food and the home for Jesus and the disciples. Martha was doing something good but it distracted her to the point of annoyance. She complained to Jesus and asked him to tell Mary to help. 2. Mary chose what is better (41-42) Jesus gently pointed out that Martha was worried and upset about many things. She was stressed out. Jesus told her not to worry about many things and he would not tell Mary to help her. Jesus implied that Martha ought to keep preparations simple and then she could also listen like Mary. In the same way, we too, should not be so busy doing many "good" things that we do not have time to listen to Jesus. Instead our priority should be to listen to Jesus through his word and in prayer.

Prayer: Lord, I am sorry for being distracted by many things. Help me to listen to your word.

One Word: Choose what is better