Luke 10:38-42
TWO DISCIPLES
Mary Slessor was a missionary to Africa.
Amy Carmichael was a missionary to India.
Corrie ten Boom was a prisoner in the Ravensbruck death camp in World War II.
Eugenia Price was the first, writer, producer and director of “Unshackled”.
Henrietta Mears founded Gospel Light Publications, Forest Home Christian Conference Center, and co founded the National Sunday School Association.
Lottie Moon was a pioneer missionary to China.
Audrey Wetherell Johnson was a missionary to China, a prisoner of the Japanese in WWII, and the founder of the Bible Study Fellowship. All information gleaned from More Than Conquerors, John Woodbridge, General Editor, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1992)
What did all these people have in common, other than being ladies? They were all believers in and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What is a disciple?
According to the Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook: A disciple is: “In Bible times, a student. Whereas a student today studies a subject (law, architecture, or whatever), a disciple in olden days learned from a teacher. Attachment to a specific teacher was the essence of discipleship. The Pharisees and John the Baptist had disciples (Mark 2:18). The Jews saw themselves as disciples of Moses (John 9:28). The term is used often in the Gospels and Acts of the followers of Jesus. They learned from him and attached themselves wholeheartedly to him. It meant putting Christ before family and possessions. It meant taking up the cross (Luke 14:26-33). Today, too, to be a disciple of Jesus means total commitment.” The Shaw Pocket Bible Handbook, Walter A. Elwell, Editor, (Harold Shaw Publ., Wheaton , IL; 1984), pp. 348-349
Tonight we want to meet two disciples who have something to teach us about discipleship. What is interesting about these disciples is that you have probably not thought of them as such. Also, they were sisters, and are two of the better known women in the Bible. Of course I’m speaking of Martha, and her younger sister, Mary.
Tonight I want us to see four things about this passage.
THEY WERE FEMALE
THEY WERE FAITHFUL
THERE WAS FRICTION
THERE WAS FAVOR
Vs. 38 – Jesus was traveling and came to a familiar village.
It was the Village of Bethany, about two miles from
Jerusalem, the home of Mary and Martha. Mary and Martha were sisters to Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead.
Martha received Jesus and probably at least some of the other disciples into her home. Mary and Martha were believers, and I’m sure Jesus was always welcome.
THEY WERE FEMALE
You may wonder why I am emphasizing their gender.
In the times of the Bible, it was a man’s world.
In the Jewish culture it was a man’s world.
Vs. 39 – A disciple is a learner.
Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word.
If you read Martha’s profession of faith in John 11, you will see that she too, was a disciple, a learner, a follower of Jesus.
Kent Hughes – “Judaism did not forbid women to be instructed in the Torah, but it was unheard of for a rabbi to allow a woman to sit at his feet. Later rabbinic tradition includes quotations such as: ‘May the words of the Torah be burned, they should not be handed over to women”. And ‘The man who teaches his daughter the Torah teachers her extravagance.” Cleary, Jesus rejected such unbiblical, regressive attitudes outright.” R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Luke Volume 1, (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1998), p. 396
In ancient Israel the Word of God was to be read to all, than all could hear and learn.
Deuteronomy 31:10-13 - And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, [11] When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. [12] Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: [13] And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
In the book of Acts, there was a lady name Dorcas who was called a disciple.
Acts 9:36 - Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Also in the Book of Acts there is a husband and wife team, Aquilla and Priscilla, who show themselves both to be disciples.
Acts 18:24-26 - And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. [25] This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. [26] And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
My point is this, although overall leadership in the church has been given to men, the ladies have as much right and responsibilities to be good disciples as the men do.
And in many cases throughout the history of the church, it’s often the lady disciples who have been more sensitive and open to the call of God then the men have.
Mary and Martha both were disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
THEY WERE FEMALE
THEY WERE FAITHFUL
Martha in this story was certainly not right in her attitude towards her sister, or even towards the Lord.
But let us not forget that Martha was committed to the task at hand, serving the Lord, and was indeed faithful to the Lord Himself.
She got her priorities mixed up, putting service ahead of fellowship.
We need Marthas who are concerned with detail.
We need Marthas who have the gift of hospitality.
We need Marthas who are willing to use the abilities that God has given them to serve the Lord.
We have our own collection of Marthas who work on Wednesday morning, who help carry out other church programs for the betterment of the church and community.
Martha was faithful, but at this point in their lives, Mary had a better handle on what it meant to be a disciple.
Luke 10:38 - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
I see Mary doing three things here as part of her discipleship that I feel are important for us. Sitting at Jesus’ feet, Mary was
LEARNING
LEANING
LOVING
Ø LEARNING
Jesus was teaching. Mary was learning.
In fact, as we’ll see in a few moments, Mary had a better understanding of Jesus’ death than the Apostles did.
Why was that?
She was sitting quietly, taking it all in, perhaps even asking questions.
She paid attention.
You and I also need to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word.
That means, that there must be specific times assigned for that learning. Yes, Sunday School, Morning and Evening Church and Prayer Meeting.
But more real learning will take place when you get alone with God daily and read, meditate on His Word and pray!
Our daily prayer before an open Bible sound like one of these three quotes from Psalm 119.
Psalm 119:18 - Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Psalm 119:27 - Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
Psalm 119:125 - I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
I know, like Martha, you have a busy schedule.
But I also know, like Martha, you’ll miss God’s best if you don’t set a special time aside for God each day.
LEARNING
Ø LEANING
Being at Jesus’ feet reminds me that He is close.
And that whatever is bugging me, whatever worries me, whatever concerns me, I can bring to Him.
He’s present to answer.
He’s present to encourage.
He’s present to guide.
A good disciple does not “free lance”.
A good disciple gets all his strength, guidance, and authority from his master.
John 14:13-14 - And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:14-15 - And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: [15] And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
LEARNING
LEANING
Ø LOVING
Why do Christians risk their lives in Muslim countries?
It’s because they love Jesus.
Why do Christians endure persecution joyfully?
It’s because they love Jesus.
Why did Mark sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word?
It’s because she loved Jesus.
The best disciple is the one who faithfully loves his Master.
The disciple who loves His master loves to hear His voice.
The disciple who loves His master loves to speak with Him.
The disciple who loves His loves to do His will.
Mary and Martha were faithful disciples.
Mary showed her faithfulness by
LEARNING
LEANING
LOVING
THEY WERE FEMALE
THEY WERE FAITHFUL
THERE WAS FRICTION
Luke 10:40 - But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
First of all, I want you to note that my implication, Mary had been helping in the kitchen. Evidently, Jesus came and she showed the hospitality of spending time with her guest.
Martha got entangled in her serving.
She was trying to do too much.
She was letting it get the best of her.
And when we are trying to do too much, it is easy for us to look at others who aren’t helping, and get frustrated!
And it becomes very easy for us to become very judgmental and huffy.
We suddenly become the judge of what a person should and shouldn’t be doing.
Matthew 7:1-2 - Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Martha comes to Jesus all upset and frustrated.
“Lord, don’t you care that I’m slaving out her by myself? Tell Mary that she should help me!
Luke 10:41-42 - And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Jesus tenderly, yet firmly corrects Martha.
“Martha, Martha, you’ve got lots on your plate. You’ve got a lot that bothers you. You are uptight about many things.”
All too often, that sounds a lot like me!
Then Jesus tells Martha a very important truth.
Only one thing was necessary.
And Mary had chosen it. Jesus was present and time was to be spent with Him.
And time spent with Jesus is invaluable!
If Martha had spent her time with Jesus, the meal might not have been elaborate.
But Martha’s spirit would have been at rest.
And Martha would have had the strength and joy to serve when it was time to serve!
Our problem is, we try to serve without spending time with Jesus. This leads to frustration.
There was a man who had an only daughter who was her father’s pride and joy. She always spent much time with her father visiting in the evenings and walking with him.
Then suddenly her behavior changed.
She would excuse herself from his presence, and spend hours in her room. She just hadn’t time to spend with him any more.
The father was grieved with the lack of fellowship, but hesitated to say anything.
Then Christmas came and she gave him an exquisite pair of hand knit gloves. She joyfully told him that she had made them herself.
The father then understood. “Is this why you have been hiding in your room for so many weeks?” he asked. She answered in the affirmative.
The father said something like this to her, “My darling daughter, I’ve missed you. Next time buy the gloves, and let me have the joy of your presence.”
How many times does Jesus say, “My child, forget the business and spend your time with me. You’ll be much happier.”
THEY WERE FEMALE
THEY WERE FAITHFUL
THERE WAS FRICTION
THERE WAS FAVOR
Of course Mary received the compliment from Jesus that she had made the right choice.
But what about Martha? Did she learn her lesson?
I believe she did and because of that she is certainly in favor when her brother Lazarus died.
Please turn to John 11.
Lazarus was dead.
Jesus was not there to heal him.
But Martha gives indication that here was a woman who had learned her lesson to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word.
Vss. 22-24 – Here was woman who had not lost or left her faith.
Vss. 25-27 – Martha’s response is one of the clearest attestations to the deity of Christ that anyone makes in all of Scripture. Martha HAD been listening. She HAD BEEN sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His word.
To this day, Martha stands in Scripture as a disciple who knew who her Master was.
And what about Mary?
Turn over to John 12:1-8 - READ
Mary had been listening.
It was Mary who, out of love, anointed Jesus’ body before burial, realizing that there would not be much opportunity after burial.
Mary knew why she was doing what she was doing!
Matthew 26:12-13 - For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. [13] Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
So both Martha and Mary found favor with the Lord.
Mary Slessor, Amy Carmichael, Corrie ten Boom, Eugenia Price, Henrietta Mears, Lottie Moon and Audrey Wetherell Johnson were all disciples of Jesus’ Christ. They left behind a good report just like Mary and Martha.
And sometime they will probably hear their Lord say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!”
Two disciples:
THEY WERE FEMALE
THEY WERE FAITHFUL
THERE WAS FRICTION
THERE WAS FAVOR