Made for This MomentSample

MADE FOR THIS MOMENT: MARTHA

Being Attentive in His Presence

WARM-UP

"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 care that 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

ON THE PITCH

Martha welcomes Jesus.

Martha opens her home to Jesus.

Martha prepares a meal for Jesus.

In four verses, we gain a very real glimpse into the well-intended heart of Martha. Martha is a biblical figure, a disciple of Christ, and a sibling of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany.

Many of you may have heard the question themed around this passage of Scripture: “Are you a Martha or a Mary?” Although we desperately want to say we are a Mary, we have more in common with the heart posture of Martha than perhaps we would like to own up to. When we refer to how Martha approached Jesus, it was nothing short of hospitable. She greets Jesus, invites him into her home, and begins the task of preparing a meal for a host of individuals. The gesture of invitation was necessary; the meal, by observation, was not. This can be inferred by Jesus’ response to Martha when he speaks to her in verses 41 and 42.

This leads to a question: are you sustained by the presence of God or by the works for God? Martha clearly responded in the most holy of ways upon witnessing Jesus on his journey. She saw the disciples and Jesus traveling. Martha knew they would seek a place of rest and restoration. Yet, her misguided fixation of what she could do for them (even GOOD and honorable things) removed her devotion and undivided attention to the One who covets it most.

In this season, let’s remember that Jesus does not need us to do any one thing for Him, yet he is jealous of our allegiance. Jesus + something = a distracted heart; Jesus + nothing = a holy devotion.

PRAYER

Lord, You are enough. Help me to cultivate Your presence in my life. Remove the distractions in my life that keep me from You. I repent of any pride or personal idols that have taken me away from having You in first place and being completely Yours. Set me on fire for You. Amen.