Saturday, August 19, 2006

Luke 10:38-42

LUKE 10:38-42

The Message

38-40As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. "Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand."

41-42The Master said, "Martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it's the main course, and won't be taken from her."

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

38Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Amplified Bible

38 Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.

39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching.

40 But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!

41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;

42 There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.

New Living Translation

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

41 But the Lord said to her, "My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! 42 There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it--and I won't take it away from her."

King James Version

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.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

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.

41 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.

American Standard Version

38 Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving; and she came up to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister did leave me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 But the Lord answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things:

42 but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

New International Reader's Version

38 Jesus and his disciples went on their way. Jesus came to a village where a woman named Martha lived. She welcomed him into her home. 39 She had a sister named Mary.

Mary sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was busy with all the things that had to be done. She came to Jesus and said, "Lord, my sister has left me to do the work by myself. Don't you care? Tell her to help me!"

41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered. "You are worried and upset about many things. 42 But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better. And it will not be taken away from her."

MATTHEW 11:28-30

Amplified Bible (AB)

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

New Living Translation (NLT)

28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

King James Version (KJV)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Introduction

In Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Joanna Weaver invites all women to reexamine the poignant story of two sisters from Bethany. Before we begin reading, though, I invite you to think about the following.

    1. What preconceived ideas do you have about Mary and Martha?

    2. Read the attached translations of Luke 10:38-42.

    a) Highlight the key phrases associated with Mary in one color.

    b) Highlight the key phrases associated with Martha in a second color.

    c) Highlight the responses of Jesus in a third color.

    d) Circle the conjunctions in verses 40 and 41. Do they influence the way you respond

    to what you read?

    3. I have little (if no) doubt that almost everyone will identify with Martha and for reasons that are too well-known to all of us. A woman once told our author: “My life is like a blender—stuck on frappe!” What inanimate object would you choose to best describe how your life currently feels?

    4. How do you feel about Mary? Why?

    5. Briefly define the following terms:

    a) struggle

    b) intimacy

    c) go all out

    d) choice

    e) distraction

    5. What does the Bible say in the following verses about our potential for change?

    Ezekiel 36:26-27________________________________________________________

    II Corinthians 5:17______________________________________________________

    Philippians 1:6_________________________________________________________

    6. Read the attached translation of Matthew 11:28-30. Highlight the words and phrases that speak most to you.

Now it’s time to open the book and start reading! For me, there is no greater anticipation than that I feel before opening a book to the first page. Let me share some words from our author to send you on your way.

    “Nothing has transformed my life like the study of God’s Word. Something powerful happens when we go beyond other people’s opinions and revelations and discover for ourselves what God has to say. . .

    I recommend using a translation of the Bible that you enjoy and understand, as well as a notebook to record your answers (see page 229 for Joanna’s own journal form).

    My prayer is that each of you will begin to experience the blessing God promises to those who look ‘intently into the perfect law that gives freedom. . .not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it’ (James 1:25). . .[d]ig in, ladies! You’ll be glad you did” (209).

Almighty and most merciful God, You have given the Bible to be the revelation of your great love to us, and of Your power and will to save us; grant that our study of it may not be made in vain by the callousness or carelessness of our hearts, but, that by it, we may be confirmed in penitence, lifted to hope, made strong for service, and, above all filled with the true knowledge of Yourself and of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. (George Adam Smith)

Before next time: Read Chapter One: “A Tale of Two Sisters,” pps. 1-12.