Finding Balance: Action and Contemplation in Christ
Summary
In today's reflection, we delved into the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42, exploring the dynamics between these two sisters and their relationship with Jesus. Martha, who welcomed Jesus into her home, was busy with preparations, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet, listening to His teachings. This narrative highlights the tension between action and contemplation, responsibility and devotion. Martha's frustration with Mary for not helping with the work is met with Jesus' gentle correction, emphasizing that Mary has chosen the better part by prioritizing time with Him.
This story invites us to examine our own lives and the balance we maintain between our duties and our spiritual nourishment. Martha's actions, though well-intentioned, were overshadowed by her worries and distractions. Jesus' response to her—"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one"—reminds us that our primary need is to be in communion with Him. This doesn't diminish the value of service but rather places it in the context of a relationship with Christ.
The narrative also touches on the theme of worry and anxiety, offering a profound insight: the cure for these is found in spending time with Jesus. By immersing ourselves in His word and presence, we find peace and clarity amidst life's chaos. The story of Martha and Mary encourages us to be both active in our service and contemplative in our devotion, recognizing that both are essential in our walk with Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Balance Between Action and Contemplation: The story of Martha and Mary teaches us the importance of balancing our responsibilities with our spiritual life. While Martha was busy with preparations, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet. This highlights the need to prioritize our relationship with Christ amidst our daily tasks. [37:32]
- The Cure for Worry: Jesus' gentle correction of Martha reveals that the cure for worry and anxiety is spending time with Him. By focusing on His presence and teachings, we find peace and direction, even in the midst of life's challenges. [51:52]
- Listening to Jesus: Martha's eventual understanding of Jesus' teachings shows the importance of listening to Him. By taking His advice and spending time in His word, we gain insight and wisdom for our lives. [58:45]
- Service Rooted in Devotion: While service is important, it should be rooted in our devotion to Christ. Martha's service, though well-intentioned, was overshadowed by her worries. True service flows from a heart that is first devoted to Jesus. [45:51]
- Identity in Christ: The story encourages us to find our identity in Christ, embracing both our Martha-like responsibilities and Mary-like devotion. By sitting at Jesus' feet, we discover who we are in Him and how we can serve others effectively. [01:06:21]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Invocation and Prayer
[01:15] - Introduction to Luke 10
[02:45] - Martha and Mary's Story
[05:00] - Martha's Distraction
[07:30] - Jesus' Gentle Correction
[10:00] - The Importance of Listening
[12:30] - Balancing Service and Devotion
[15:00] - The Cure for Worry
[17:30] - Identity in Christ
[20:00] - Closing Reflections
[22:00] - Prayer and Benediction
[23:00] - Invitation for Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 10:38-42
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the different actions taken by Martha and Mary when Jesus visited their home? How did Jesus respond to each of them? [37:32]
2. How does the sermon describe Martha's feelings towards Mary's actions, and what does this reveal about their relationship? [44:16]
3. According to the sermon, what was Jesus' gentle correction to Martha, and what was the core issue He addressed? [50:30]
4. How did Martha eventually demonstrate her understanding of Jesus' teachings, as mentioned in the sermon? [58:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of Martha and Mary teach about the balance between action and contemplation in one's spiritual life? [43:02]
2. How does the sermon suggest that worry and anxiety can be addressed through a relationship with Jesus? [51:52]
3. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the importance of listening to Jesus, and how did Martha eventually embody this lesson? [58:45]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between service and devotion, and what can be learned from Martha's experience? [45:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are you more like Martha, focused on tasks, or Mary, focused on devotion? How can you find a balance between the two? [01:02:46]
2. Identify a specific worry or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you incorporate more time with Jesus to address this concern? [51:52]
3. Think of a time when you were frustrated with someone for not helping you. How might Jesus' response to Martha guide your reaction in similar situations? [44:16]
4. How can you prioritize listening to Jesus in your daily routine? What practical steps can you take to ensure you are hearing His voice? [58:45]
5. Consider your current responsibilities and service. How can you ensure that your service is rooted in devotion to Christ rather than just duty? [45:51]
6. Reflect on your identity in Christ. How does sitting at Jesus' feet help you understand who you are and how you can serve others effectively? [01:06:21]
7. What specific action can you take this week to minimize distractions and focus more on your relationship with Jesus? [50:30]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Balancing Responsibilities with Spiritual Priorities
In the story of Martha and Mary, we see a vivid illustration of the tension between action and contemplation. Martha is busy with the preparations, ensuring everything is perfect for Jesus, while Mary chooses to sit at His feet, absorbing His teachings. This narrative invites us to reflect on our own lives and the balance we maintain between our duties and our spiritual nourishment. While Martha's actions were well-intentioned, they were overshadowed by her worries and distractions. Jesus gently corrects her, emphasizing that Mary has chosen the better part by prioritizing time with Him. This doesn't diminish the value of service but rather places it in the context of a relationship with Christ. [37:32]
Luke 12:29-31 (ESV): "And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."
Reflection: What is one responsibility or task in your life that often distracts you from spending time with Jesus? How can you adjust your schedule to prioritize your spiritual growth this week?
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Day 2: Finding Peace in His Presence
Jesus' gentle correction of Martha reveals that the cure for worry and anxiety is spending time with Him. By focusing on His presence and teachings, we find peace and direction, even in the midst of life's challenges. This story encourages us to immerse ourselves in His word and presence, finding peace and clarity amidst life's chaos. The narrative of Martha and Mary reminds us that our primary need is to be in communion with Him, which brings peace to our anxious hearts. [51:52]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: Identify a specific worry or anxiety you are currently facing. How can you intentionally spend time with Jesus today to seek His peace and guidance in this situation?
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Day 3: The Importance of Listening to Jesus
Martha's eventual understanding of Jesus' teachings shows the importance of listening to Him. By taking His advice and spending time in His word, we gain insight and wisdom for our lives. This story encourages us to be attentive to Jesus' voice, recognizing that His words bring life and understanding. In a world full of noise and distractions, choosing to listen to Jesus can transform our perspective and guide our actions. [58:45]
Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV): "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What is one way you can create space in your daily routine to listen to Jesus more intentionally? Consider a specific time or place where you can focus on His word and teachings.
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Day 4: Service Rooted in Devotion
While service is important, it should be rooted in our devotion to Christ. Martha's service, though well-intentioned, was overshadowed by her worries. True service flows from a heart that is first devoted to Jesus. This story encourages us to examine the motivations behind our service, ensuring that it is an overflow of our love and devotion to Him. When our service is rooted in devotion, it becomes a joyful expression of our relationship with Christ. [45:51]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent act of service you performed. Was it motivated by devotion to Christ or by obligation? How can you ensure your future acts of service are rooted in your love for Jesus?
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Day 5: Embracing Our Identity in Christ
The story of Martha and Mary encourages us to find our identity in Christ, embracing both our Martha-like responsibilities and Mary-like devotion. By sitting at Jesus' feet, we discover who we are in Him and how we can serve others effectively. This narrative invites us to explore the balance between action and contemplation, recognizing that both are essential in our walk with Christ. Our identity in Him empowers us to live out our calling with purpose and joy. [01:06:21]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV): "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Reflection: How do you currently see your identity in Christ influencing your daily life and responsibilities? What is one step you can take to align your actions more closely with your identity in Him?
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Quotes
1. "Now, we're going to turn to the Gospel of John, to the Gospel of John chapter 11, and I want to read the first three verses for you. So we get a picture of Mary and Martha. It says here, Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters went, sent word to Jesus, Lord, the one who you love is sick. The point I want you to see is this is the Mary that anointed Jesus, wept on his feet, wiped them with her hair. She had this unrighteousness. Unbelievable love for Jesus. Took a year's wages and dumped on Jesus. How many of us would do that?" [00:38:35] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "But they're there in the home. Now, if we back up, in Luke chapter 10, the verses 5 and 6, it says Jesus telling his disciples when he sent them out, when you enter a house, first say peace to his house. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them. If not, it will return to you. And what I want you to see here is by Martha opening her home and welcoming Jesus, she was blessed. Could you imagine the peace in your home? If Jesus came in?" [00:41:17] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Complaining to Jesus this just hits me about the labor involved in ministry is fruitless and I complain way too much my wife's here she'll confirm it and I complain way too much my wife's here she'll confirm it ministry is work and it does no good to complain martha was ministering to the king of kings and to the lord of lords could you imagine being able to go to town and say i prepared a meal for the messiah he was at your house he's month complaining Wow." [00:45:51] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Now how many of you know Jesus gets right to the root of the problem anybody else know that here you see we can look at this story well this was kind of a little spat between Martha and Mary and they were kind of fighting and they had some sibling rivalry and all this was going on and Jesus knew it wasn't all about that and so your next point Jesus recognized Martha's many worries isn't it interesting and how much does he love her it's so awesome he goes Martha Martha what a great line do you know in scripture what I see is he usually says a person's name twice if it's a man because we need to hear it twice or we aren't going to hear it I'm just I'm just telling you it's a failing common to men so he says things like Abraham Abraham you know Isaac Isaac Jacob Jacob but here he goes Martha Martha" [00:48:53] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And he says, there's one thing needed. And he said, Mary has chosen it. Oh, how that had to hurt Martha at first, because she was sure she was right, that Mary should get up and start getting the leg of lamb ready. And that she should have been there helping her. But instead, Jesus says, you're worried about a lot of things, but there's one thing that's needed. You know, if we had a quiz today, and I said, what's the one thing that's needed? You know, what would you say? We'd say, well, Martha and Mary need to get along. Now, that's not the thing. It's Jesus. Jesus is needed." [00:50:30] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "And man you know how many people I've told hundreds of people this year who say well I don't have a bible or I don't read well or you know my bible's in a different language I get so many questions I get so many excuses why people don't read the bible and I say do you have a smart phone oh yeah man I can't believe how proud people are of their smart phones especially teenagers I say do you have a smart phone oh and they show it to me and I said go to your apps and I said look it right there free bible download it man I had one little boy man he downloaded it right away he was so happy and his mom said can't you send that to me and I said you can do it on your your smart phone too and I said now you can tell that phone to read a scripture to you and it will and they were like you're kidding and I said absolutely it'll do it" [00:52:45] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And every time I go to church every time you know every time the you know the retirement the planners you know and they go man you just don't have enough money to retire and I'm thinking oh my goodness I'm going to be homeless and I have nothing to eat in my old age and then I hear I hear the psalmist say hey I was young I am old never have I seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging bread and I go I think there's hope" [00:54:24] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Now, look at your next point. It's very, very important. Martha took Jesus' advice. I'm going to prove it to you. She took Jesus' advice. I want you also to know that the key to the text, the key to what we're talking about today is listening. Do you know what I tell young couples in premarital counseling? I say to them this. I say to the guys, I say, now when she says something to you, repeat it back word for word. And they look at me like, huh? I'm like, just trust me, man. Because you know how many times I've heard, he never listens to me. I said, I'm going to help you out. Just listen to what I'm going to tell you right now. After she tells you, repeat it back word for word." [00:57:01] (57 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "abandoned the leg of lamb in the oven and she ran out to see jesus and she went to see him lord martha said to jesus if you had been here my brother would not have died but i know that even now god will give you whatever you ask man this girl sat down and she listened to jesus jesus said to her your brother will rise again martha answered i know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day listen this girl has her doctrine her theology down how did she figure that out she did what jesus said she sat at his feet and she listened or she listened while she was cooking one or the other but she listened the key is listening now the rest of this is so awesome jesus said to her i am the resurrection and the life the one who will rise again in the resurrection at the last day listen this girl has her doctrine who believes in me will live even though they die and whoever lives by believing in me will never die do you believe this what a great question listen to martha yes lord she replied i believe that you are the messiah the son of god who is to come in to the world martha took jesus advice" [00:58:45] (77 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Your last point, be a balance between Martha and Mary. Now, for the guys who are going, well, this is just for the girls. Okay, be a balance between the Marks and the Malachites. I don't, you know, whatever you want to do here, but we all have these personalities and we all have gifts. But the most awesome thing is when you have a Martha that sits down at the feet of Jesus and becomes more like Mary. And when you have a Mary who's at the feet of Jesus who says, hey, I think I'm going to help my sister or my brother in the kitchen. Because Jesus loves both and he's created us in these ways. It's not about being one or the other. It's about sitting down and hearing what Jesus has to say to you." [01:02:46] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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