Saturday prior to Proper 11

 

[1]

Romans 3:23-25 – The hymn of the week is “O Savior, Precious Savior” (LSB 527). Having come into the presence of Christ, having heard His Word having communed with Him at His altar, having received His promise of reconciliation in the words of the Absolution we are encouraged to praise the name of the Lord. The words of this much loved hymn finds its focus on Christ and the true worship He is due. Come tomorrow to the Divine Service expecting to be drawn by the Savior to those means of grace that He gives us.

The last line of the first verse of this hymn seems to have been originally, “Our holy God and King.” It was likely changed to “Our holy Lord and King” to match the other stanzas. In that way the last four lines of each stanza could be printed as a repeated refrain. The tune of the present hymn (Munich) is also used with William Walsham How’s hymn O Word of God Incarnate. Produced in 1847, the music was one of the last pieces Mendelssohn worked on before his untimely death at the age of 38.

There are a number of possible reasons why something that exists cannot be seen. Some stars and planets in the heavens are too far away to be seen, except with a powerful telescope. Other things, such as the molecules that make up visible matter, are too small to be seen individually, except through an electron microscope.

 

Years ago, it was impossible to view something that was happening on the other side of the world. Until satellites and television shrank the world, people had to wait for the arrival of someone who had been there to find out about it. Or perhaps wait for a letter that would give them a written description. The journeys of Columbus, Drake, Hudson, Cabot, Cartier, and others, gave exciting accounts to Europeans of a “new world” far away.

The wind cannot be seen, but we can certainly observe its effects when it blows. In a way that’s similar to a whole host of human attitudes and emotions that are invisible until they affect behavior. How we act, in a variety of situations, may demonstrate inner attitudes of love or anger worry or wonder. It’s the same with covetousness or generosity.

The spirit world fits the category too–of things that are real but invisible. The holy angels and demons (evil angels) are at work around us, but we are not equipped to see them. Unless they choose to reveal their presence in some way, we must rely on the testimony of the Scriptures to learn about them. The Bible says God’s angels are spirits “sent forth the minister for [or serve] those who will inherit salvation” (Heb. 1:14).

 God is the supreme spirit Being, and invisible to us as well (I Tim. 1:17). In His spiritual essence, “no man has seen or can see” Him (I Tim. 6:16). But when God the Son came to earth, in His virgin-born humanity, He revealed God to us in a way we could better understand. “The Word [Christ] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14).

However, we still have a problem today. The Lord was only on this earth in visible form for a few years. After His death and resurrection, He returned to heaven once more (Luke 24:51). Now, though He promised to be with His followers in spirit (Matt. 28:20), He is seated at the Father’s right hand in heaven (Heb. 12:2).

The Lord recognized this problem, and spoke of it to a disciple. “”Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn. 20:29). There is a special blessing for those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, in His absence. It’s the Spirit of God who reveals Him to us, through faith. Jesus said, “He will testify of Me….He will glorify Me” (Jn. 15:26; 16:14).

Peter recognizes the rejoicing this brings to the hearts of believers, speaking of:

“Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory….To you who believe, He is precious” (I Pet. 1:7-8; 2:7).

Frances Ridley Havergal turned this into a beautiful hymn of worship in 1870.

 

1) O Savior, precious Savior,
Whom yet unseen we love!
O name of might and favor,
All other names above!
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing;
We praise Thee, and confess Thee
Our holy God and King.

 

3) In Thee all fullness dwelleth,
All grace and power divine;
The glory that excelleth,
O Son of God, is Thine;
We worship Thee, we bless Thee,
To Thee, O Christ, we sing:
We praise Thee, and confess Thee
Our glorious Lord and King. [2]

 

Prayer for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 6: We thank You, Father, for your word contained in Scripture, and we thank You for its reading and its hearing. We ask now, Lord, that your word be fulfilled in this meditation, and the way in which we live our lives. Through Jesus, Our Savior, we ask it. Amen (Anonymous) [3]

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[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher things

[2] https://wordwisehymns.com/2016/07/20/o-saviour-precious-saviour/

[3] Collect for Saturday of the week of Pentecost 6, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Friday prior to Proper 11

 

[1]

Luke 10:38-42— Jesus visits with Martha and Mary in their home. The church needs to reach out into the world demonstrating the compassion of Christ. This is seen in the work of Martha. The church at the same time needs to become a redemptive community – demonstrated by the actions of Mary. Mary chose to fulfill that need by sitting at His feet to learn from Jesus. We can not neglect physical bread for spiritual bread. Both are needed. But which is more important? In the Gospel text Jesus answers this: “Mary chose “the good portion.” Donating food, clothing, shelter, medical care and the like is important yet the Savior encourages us to give top priority to the spiritual needs of life.

V. 39 informs us that Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His Word.” More accurately translated, it should read that she “kept hearing His Word” (imperfect tense in the Greek) The reception of God‘s Word is never a momentary or once-for all event; it is a process of regular, continual, persistent hearing of God’s Word.

For newness of life in Christ: Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness and put upon ourselves the armor of light now in the time of this mortal life in which Your Son, Jesus Christ, came to visit us in great humility, that in the Last Day, when He shall come again to glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to life immortal; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2]

Friday of the week of Pentecost 6: Thou seest us, O God that we have need. And thou are open to the multitude of our prayers. Of thy wisdom grant us such thing as we should have and with them of thy love grace to us in accordance with thy purpose what things thou dost grant. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen[3]

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[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher things

[2] Collect for newness of life in Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 6, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Thursday prior to Proper 11

 

[1]

Colossians 1:21-28—Through the cross Christ reconciled those once estranged that they might be blameless before God and Paul explains the purpose of his sufferings and ministry. Paul explains so much in just a few verses. In Vv.21-23 Paul explains the nature of the gospel, the way of salvation, with an appeal to remain steadfast in the faith. In verse 24, there is the difficult passage concerning Paul’s sufferings completing Christ’s afflictions. In Vv. 26-27 Paul speaks about the mystery of the gospel. The purpose of one’s ministry, the goal of the church’s work is in verse 28: “So we preach Christ to everyone…in order to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature individual in union with Christ.” Maturity in Christ is the goal in thinking, understanding, in attitude, and in practice.

Through the cross Christ reconciled those once estranged that they might be blameless before God and Paul explains the purpose of his sufferings and ministry.

In former years the Colossians had been fare from God “in a foreign country” and enemies of Him according to their minds as expressed by their evil deeds, but now they have been brought near because of Christ’s work of reconciliation through which He presents them “holy and blameless” to Himself. See Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 2:13

The Colossians will remain steadfast in faith when they are sure in the hope of the Gospel, which is proclaimed throughout the whole world; of this Gospel Paul himself became a servant (Colossians 1:23) He worked hard at the call that he had received, V. 24 he fulfilled his office by following Christ’s suffering, by sacrificing himself through his ministry to the church. He was totally devoted to God’s Word now revealed to the LORD”s saints. (vv.25-26) Christ is the mystery proclaimed as “the hope of glory” to all nations, through whom everyone is presented as perfect in His sight, Vv. 27-28

Paul’s ministry stands at the center of this lesson. It is not his person or performance but his service under God’s Word that is and must be proclaimed to churches and individuals through preaching, admonishing, and teaching. V. 28  This message of Christ’s redeeming work leads people back from their lostness to sin and Satan into saving communion with God.

For steadfast faith: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may remain steadfast in the faith to the end and finally come to love everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2]  

Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 6: Let us pray for the Church throughout the world for their truth, unity, and stability; that charity may flourish and truth may abound in them all; and for our own Church, that what is unsound in it may be corrected and what is lacking may be supplied. Amen – (Lancelot Andrews) [3]

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[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher things

[2] Collect for steadfast faith in Christ, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House. St. Louis

[3] Collect for Thursday of the week of Pentecost 6, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

Wednesday prior to Proper 11

 

[1]

Genesis 18:1-18a—At the oaks of Mamre, Abraham feeds three angels of God. At least two of the “men” were angels. The third was the angel of the Lord or the Lord Himself. [See Vv. 1,13,17,20, 26, 33, and especially verse 22] Abraham politely addressed one of his guests as “my lord” and called himself “your servant” (Vv. 3, 5) a common way of speaking when addressing a superior. Hebrews 13:2 is probably a reference to Vv. 2-8 and 19:1-3. Abraham and Sarah were rewarded beyond measure. They entertain the Lord Himself Vv. 1-2 and they are given the miraculous gift of new life. Vs. 10a Note: The woodcut below is a depiction of what transpires in the verses immediately following our lesson.

[2]

Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: O God, because You have prepared for those who love You such good things as surpass our understanding, pour into our hearts such love towards You that we, loving You above all things, may obtain Your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [3]

Collect for Proper 11: O Lord, grant us the Spirit to hear Your Word and know the one thing needful that by Your Word and Spirit we may live according to Your will; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.[4]

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[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher things 

[2] Sarah laughs, Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his book, The Book of Books in Pictures ©WELS for personal and congregational use.

[3] Collect for Pentecost 6, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

[4] Collect for Proper 11, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St, Louis

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Tuesday prior to Proper 11

 

[1]

Psalm 27— Devotion to God’s House. David speaks of fearless trust in God. God - the strength of his life. David loved to sing, and to pray and to wait on the Lord. The man whose priorities are right (Vv. 4, 8) has nothing to fear (Vv. 1-3, 5-6). He knows where to turn in trouble (Vv. 7-12) and his hope is well founded. (Vv. 13-14)

Psalm 27 – The seeking, waiting life rewarded

This psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. As with many of David’s psalms, it is impossible to confidently state which period of his life it comes from. It speaks of trouble from enemies, adversaries, false witnesses, and violent men, but this was true of many periods of King David’s life. There is such a marked change between the first half and the second half of this psalm that many suggest that it was two different psalms stitched together. Alexander Maclaren said this idea “has much in its favor”; but it neglects how the experience of the man or woman of God can change so much even within a day or a song.[2]

Collect for Psalm 27: Gracious Father, protector of those who hope in you: You heard the cry o your Son and kept him safe in your shelter in the days of evil. Grant that your servants who seek your face in times of trouble may see your goodness in the land of the living, through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[3] 

Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 6:  O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fill to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lore, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen- [4] 

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[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-27/

[3] Collect for Psalm 27, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Collect for Tuesday of the week of Pentecost 6, ibid

Monday prior to Proper 11

[1]

Psalm 119:57-60, 64; antiphon, Psalm 119:103— Psalm 119:57-64 is brought to you by the Hebrew Letter “”Heth” The Lord is the Psalmist’s true homestead because it is God’s law that fills the earth with all that makes life secure and joyous. So God’s promises are his hope and God’s righteous laws are his delight.

Psalm 119 – The Greatness and Glory of God’s Holy Word

This long psalm deserves a long introduction. The author is unnamed; older commentators almost universally said it is a psalm of David, composed throughout his entire life. More modern commentators sometimes conclude that it is post-exilic, coming from the days of Nehemiah or Ezra. It may be that David was the author, but we can’t say this with certainty, and it is not necessary to know; if it were important, God would have preserved the name of David to this psalm. No matter who the author was, it was likely written over some period of time and later compiled, because there is not a definite flow of thought from the beginning of the psalm to the end. The sections and verses are not like a chain, where one link is connected to the other, but like a string of pearls where each pearl has equal, but independent value.

Psalm 119 is arranged in an acrostic pattern. There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and this psalm contains 22 units of 8 verses each. Each of the 22 sections is given a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each line in that section begins with that letter. The closest parallel to this pattern in Scripture is found in Lamentations 3, which is also divided into 22 sections, and a few other passages in the Hebrew Scriptures use an acrostic pattern.

Since this is a psalm glorifying God and His word, it refers to Scripture over and over again. Psalm 119 is remarkable for how often it refers to God’s written revelation, His word. It is referred to in almost every verse. The Masoretes (a group of Jewish scholars between the 6th and 10th centuries AD) said that the word of God is mentioned in every verse except Psalm 119:122. Other people analyze this differently (with disagreement about verses 84, 90, 121, and 132). But Scripture is mentioned in at least 171 of the 176 verses.

In this psalm there are eight basic words used to describe the Scriptures, God’s written revelation to us:

Law (torah, used 25 times in Psalm 119): “Its parent verb means ‘teach’ or ‘direct’; therefore coming from God it means both ‘law’ and ‘revelation.’ It can be used of a single command or of a whole body of law.” (Derek Kidner)

Word (dabar, used 24 times): The idea is of the spoken word, God’s revealed word to man. “Proceeding from his mouth and revealed by him to us…” (Matthew Poole)

Judgments (mispatim, used 23 times): “…from shaphat, to judge, determine, regulate, order, and discern, because they judge concerning our words and works; show the rules by which they should be regulated; and cause us to discern what is right and wrong, and decide accordingly.” (Adam Clarke)

Testimonies (edut/edot, used 23 times): This word is related to the word for witness. To obey His testimonies “…signifies loyalty to the terms of the covenant made between the Lord and Israel.” (Willem VanGemeren)

Commandments (miswah/miswot, used 22 times): “This word emphasizes the straight authority of what is said…the right to give orders.” (Derek Kidner)

Statutes (huqqim, used 21 times): The noun is derived from the root verb “engrave” or “inscribe”; the idea is the written word of God and the authority of His written word: “…declaring his authority and power of giving us laws.” (Matthew Poole)

Precepts (piqqudim, used 21 times): “This is a word drawn from the sphere of an officer or overseer, a man who is responsible to look closely into a situation and take action…. So the word points to the particular instructions of the Lord, as of one who cares about detail.” (Derek Kidner)

Word (imrah, used 19 times): Imrah is similar in meaning to dabar, yet a different term. “The ‘word’ may denote anything God has spoken, commanded, or promised.” (Willem VanGemeren)

The theme of the glory of Scripture is diligently explored in this psalm, but always in connection with God Himself. Derek Kidner remarks: “This untiring emphasis has led some to accuse the psalmist of worshipping the Word rather than the Lord; but it has been well remarked that every reference here to Scripture, without exception, relates it explicitly to its Author; indeed, every verse from 4 to the end is a prayer for affirmation addressed to Him. This is true piety: a love of God not desiccated by study but refreshed, informed and nourished by it.”

Being such a long psalm – and the longest chapter in the Bible – this psalm has been of great historical interest. There have been many lengthy works written on this psalm; one of them is by Thomas Manton, a Puritan preacher and writer, who wrote a three-volume work on Psalm 119. Each volume is between 500 and 600 pages, with a total of 1,677 pages. There are 190 chapters in his work, more than one chapter for each verse.

“Luther professed that he prized this Psalm so highly, that he would not take the whole world in exchange for one leaf of it.” (Charles Bridges)

Some great people have memorized this whole psalm and found great blessing in doing so: John Ruskin (19th century British writer), William Wilberforce (19th century British politician who led the movement to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire), Henry Martyn (19th century pioneer missionary to India), and David Livingstone (19th century pioneer missionary to Africa).

Matthew Henry – the great 18th century Bible commentator – was introduced to Psalm 119 as a child. His father, Philip Henry, told his children to take one verse of Psalm 119 every morning to meditate on, and thereby go through the entire psalm twice in the year. Philip said to his children, “That will bring you to be in love with all the rest of the Scriptures.” Perhaps that practice was why Matthew Henry loved the Bible so much that he wrote commentary that is used still today.

George Wishart was the Bishop of Edinburgh in the 17th century (not to be confused with another Scot by the same name who was martyred a century earlier). Wishart was condemned to death for his faith. But when he was on the scaffold, he made use of a custom that allowed the condemned person to choose one psalm to be sung, and he chose Psalm 119. Before two-thirds of the psalm had been sung, his pardon arrived and his life was spared.[2]

Next Sunday may be called “Hospitality Day.” Human entertain divine beings at dinners. In the Gospel (Luke 10:38-42) Martha and Mary have Jesus in their home for dinner, but only Mary gets fed by Christ while Martha is busy getting the meal ready. In the Old Testament lesson (Genesis 18:1-18a) Abraham offers hospitality to three men from God and receives a blessing from them. The Epistle lesson (Colossians 1:21-28) is a continuation from last Sunday’s lesson from Colossians. Because of the cross which reconciled us to God, we may appear before Him with holiness. Before Christ, we could not approach God or be in His presence because were estranged from Him. Now we are reconciled; and access to the Father’s throne room of grace is wide open to us.

Collect for Psalm 119: Lord, you are just and your commandments are eternal. Teach us to love you with all our hearts and to love our neighbor as ourselves, for the sake of Jesus our Lord.[3]

Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 6: Father, in the rising of your Son death gives birth to new life. The sufferings he endured restored hope to a fallen world. Let sin never ensnare us with empty promises of passing joy. Make us one with you always, so that our joy may be holy, and our love may give life. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen [4]

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[1] Luther’s Seal, copyright © Ed Riojas, Higher things

[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-119/

[3]  Collect for Psalm 119, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY

[4] Collect for Monday of the week of Pentecost 6,  ibid

 

Proper 11 Series C Notes

 

 

(July 17-23)

 

Genesis 18:1–10a (10b–14)

Colossians 1:21–29

Luke 10:38–42

 

The Word of Christ Is the One Thing Needed

 

“The Lord appeared to [Abraham] by the oaks of Mamre” (Genesis 18:1) and received his hospitality. But Abraham received the gracious promise of a son. Though Abraham and Sarah were very old, nothing is “too hard for the Lord” (Genesis 18:14). 

 

His Word appointed the time and fulfilled the promise. In the same way, the Lord Jesus “entered a village” and received Martha’s hospitality (Luke 10:38). “Martha was distracted with much serving” because she was “anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:40–41), but her sister Mary “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Luke 10:39). The service of love is no sin, but “one thing is necessary” for both faith and love — the Word of Christ (Luke 10:42). 

 

Thus, the ministers of Christ are sent “to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints” (Colossians 1:25–26).

 

Mary and Martha

38 Ἐν δὲ τῷ πορεύεσθαι αὐτοὺς αὐτὸς εἰσῆλθεν εἰς κώμην τινά· γυνὴ δέ τις ὀνόματι Μάρθα ὑπεδέξατο αὐτὸν.

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

39 καὶ τῇδε ἦν ἀδελφὴ καλουμένη Μαριάμ, ἣ καὶ παρακαθεσθεῖσα πρὸς τοὺς πόδας τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἤκουεν τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ.

And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.

40 ἡ δὲ Μάρθα περιεσπᾶτο περὶ πολλὴν διακονίαν· ἐπιστᾶσα δὲ εἶπεν· Κύριε, οὐ μέλει σοι ὅτι ἡ ἀδελφή μου μόνην με κατέλειπεν διακονεῖν; εἰπὲ οὖν αὐτῇ ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται.

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

 41 ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ κύριος· Μάρθα Μάρθα, μεριμνᾷς καὶ θορυβάζῃ περὶ πολλά,

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,

42 ὀλίγων δέ ἐστιν χρεία ἢ ἑνός· Μαριὰμ γὰρ τὴν ἀγαθὴν μερίδα ἐξελέξατο ἥτις οὐκ ἀφαιρεθήσεται [m]αὐτῆς.

but one thing is necessary Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Footnotes:

The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software

ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Lutheran Sr. Care Reflection

In this day and age, being busy is considered a badge of glory. So many  are obsessed with doing, producing, accomplishing, achieving, and keeping up or getting ahead of those around us. 

Even in the church, people sometimes lose sight of the most important thing needed by looking at how much we know or how much we do. 

The story of Martha and Mary may be a familiar one, but it is always a positive reminder of the importance of resting in God’s presence.

Law/Gospel Theme: The entire Bible can be broken down into two words; “Do’ and “Done” 

The Law often seems to threaten or condemn us if we do not do all things right. The glory of the Gospel is that Christ has done the work for us already. 

We cannot and do not need to earn God’s love in any way. We already have it! All we need to do is receive His grace and rest in His presence.

There are serious questions people are prone to ask. How do we get to Heaven? How do we get God’s love? How do we know God really cares? 

It might sound quite simple. But the answer will always be…Jesus. How do we get to heaven? Jesus has shown is the way. How do we get God’s love? Jesus is the way. “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son. How do we know God really cares? He has given us His Son Jesus who is always with us. Even to the end of time. 

Do you think we have to do special things to be better Christians? Sometimes we might be tempted to think that we have to do certain things or know certain things in order to be a “just right” Christian or have God love us more. 

Some can get so caught up in hurrying through life and think we will look better if we go to church a lot or do a lot of important things. But you know what? There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love. 

And there’s nothing we need to do to earn His love! He already loves us. And all we have to do is accept His love and know that Jesus died for us. 

Jesus did all the work. And He wants us to just be ourselves and enjoy His presence.

There is a story in the Bible about two sisters who had Jesus over for dinner. One of them was named Martha. Martha was very busy, and she was rushing around preparing for Jesus. She was cooking and cleaning and working, and she got upset because her sister, Mary, was just hanging out with Jesus. 

Mary wasn’t helping do the work but just sat listening to Jesus talk. Martha got upset and asked Jesus to yell at her about it. But He told her Mary was the one doing the right thing. 

It was not as important to do things for Jesus as it was to spend time with Him.  Jesus didn’t want a dusted floor or fresh loaf of bread. He wanted people. And that is how He feels about us, too! 

What’s important is not just what we know or say or do…it’s how we love God. We can breathe and pause and rest in His presence. He is always there for us!

The LORD made us His own.  And He doesn’t require any special activities. He loves us just because we are His children! So remember, there’s nothing wrong with doing things for God. But that is not the most important thing. We can rest in Him and know we are part of His family, no matter what else we do.  That is really  great news! 

Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love and care.  Thank you for the words of the Bible Thank you for making us part of your family Help us to slow down and breathe. And rest in your presence. 

https://ministry-to-children.com/mary-martha-sermon/