Luke 10:38-42

content/bible_journal/luke_10:38-42.md

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
++++
+title = "Luke 10:38–42"
+date = "2022-12-08"
++++
+
+### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk10.38-42)
+
+Luke doesn't tell us this, but Mary and Martha were the sisters of Lazarus of
+Bethany, who was raised from the dead by Jesus. Bethany was about two miles
+outside of Jerusalem, and it seems likely that Jesus stayed with this family
+often while He was in the area. Because the text says "Martha welcomed Him into
+her house", this is probably the first time Jesus has visited.
+
+We see two different responses from the sisters. Mary sits under Jesus's
+teaching and Martha is busy trying to be a good hostess. We can't know exactly
+how many of Jesus's disciples were there at the house at the time, but likely
+more than a few, so it is reasonable&emdash;even commendable&emdash;for Martha
+to want them to be comfortable and cared for at her house. Let's not take this
+story to mean we shouldn't be hospitable.
+
+But Luke tells us that Martha is "distracted" with her efforts and tries to get
+Jesus to tell her sister to help with her work. Jesus gives her a gentle rebuke
+by telling her that she is trying to do too much, and what Mary has chosen to
+do is a better use of her time. Food is good and necessary, but you only eat it
+the once, and it's gone. Truths we learn from studying God's Word last forever.
+
+This sounds a lot like the lesson my wife and I learned over Thanksgiving this
+year. In the weeks leading up to it, our family was hit with a stomach virus.
+Each of us got it, one after another, and while the first day was the worst,
+recovery was slow and it took several days before we felt normal and able to do
+as much as we'd like. It was also the plan that we host Thanksgiving at our
+house, as in every year. There were turkeys to smoke, clutter to put away,
+floors to clean, tables and chairs to set up, and not enough time and energy to
+get it all done. So we didn't. Not all of it, anyway. We were very close to
+cancelling as I still didn't feel 100% better on Wednesday, but we realized
+that being with family was more important than not letting them see an
+imperfectly kept house. And God was gracious to us because the turkey and
+everything was delicious, we enjoyed each other's company, and we all were
+thankful for what the Lord has done for us.
+
+* * *
+
+Let us keep the main thing the main thing, with our eyes focused on You and on
+eternal things that cannot be taken away from us.