"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things."

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
113
#1
[SUP]38 [/SUP]Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[SUP][a][/SUP] feet and heard His word. [SUP]40 [/SUP]But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”[SUP]41 [/SUP]And Jesus[SUP][b][/SUP] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. [SUP]42 [/SUP]But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10

What is the "one thing needed?" What is the good part Mary has chosen? What does the phrase, "Which will not be taken away from her proclaims?"
 
Last edited:

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#2
[SUP]38 [/SUP]Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[SUP][a][/SUP] feet and heard His word. [SUP]40 [/SUP]But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”[SUP]41 [/SUP]And Jesus[SUP][b][/SUP] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. [SUP]42 [/SUP]But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10

What is the "one thing needed?" What is the good part Mary has chosen? What does the phrase, "Which will not be taken away from her proclaims?"
Her eyes and her faith directed on HER LORD

Thats the “BETTER PART”

CHRIST
FAITH in HIM and a desire to be at HIS feet waiting for and on HIM



Unlike her sister, her attention wasn’t on anything else but HIM
 
Last edited:

OneFaith

Senior Member
Sep 5, 2016
2,270
369
83
#3
The one thing needed is to listen to God. Mary chose to do what is right. Bad deeds can be forgiven, washed away, or forgotten. But good deeds will never be erased.
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#4
The one thing needed is to listen to God. Mary chose to do what is right. Bad deeds can be forgiven, washed away, or forgotten. But good deeds will never be erased.
Your avatar is a picture of what mary’s heart was focused on
 
Jan 6, 2018
1,796
154
63
#5
[SUP]38 [/SUP]Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[SUP][a][/SUP] feet and heard His word. [SUP]40 [/SUP]But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”[SUP]41 [/SUP]And Jesus[SUP][b][/SUP] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. [SUP]42 [/SUP]But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10

What is the "one thing needed?" What is the good part Mary has chosen? What does the phrase, "Which will not be taken away from her proclaims?"
Learning what does the Bible actually teach is more important than serving in ministry work.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
113
#6
The only way to receive faith is sitting at Jesus feet. Faith that is given has to be tested before it can be applied; and has to be applied before it can be matured. Many people get the word but when afflictions and persecution comes as a result of the word, they fall away.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,765
113
#7
What is the "one thing needed?" What is the good part Mary has chosen? What does the phrase, "Which will not be taken away from her proclaims?"
The answer is in the passage quoted: And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. So sitting at Jesus feet and hearing His Word was commended. And Christians can do the very same thing.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
113
#8
​Martha had a physical relationship with Christ, in serving Him, while Mary had a Spiritual relationship by hearing and worshiping Him. Martha was doing a good thing, but it was not the best thing. We learn that one can be very much involved in the Work of the Lord, and little involved in Worship of the Lord. However, the Lord is much more concerned about the Worker than the Work. If the Worker is right, the Work will be right as well!
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,765
113
#9
​Martha had a physical relationship with Christ, in serving Him...
To be fair to Martha, she loved the Lord as much as did Mary and Lazarus, but she believed that service to Him would be more important than worship. So the lesson for Christians is that worship and service must go hand in hand and there must be a proper balance. It is also interesting to note that there is no comment about Lazarus in this portion of Scripture.
 
Dec 4, 2017
906
35
0
#10
To be fair to Martha, she loved the Lord as much as did Mary and Lazarus, but she believed that service to Him would be more important than worship. So the lesson for Christians is that worship and service must go hand in hand and there must be a proper balance. It is also interesting to note that there is no comment about Lazarus in this portion of Scripture.
I have difficulty remembering how she grasped his feet, and more so how she had such a heart to share.
Even more so,
How did she see Him?
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
113
#11
The phrase, "But one thing is needful," proclaims to us the Mind of God, and tells us exactly where all victory is.

What is that "one thing?"

It is that which Mary was doing, sitting at the feet of Jesus, hearing Him speak, which can only be done presently by the method of prayer, study of his Word, and ardently seeking His Face. But tragically, much if not most of the Church world specializes in, and makes other things priority, which are not "needful." Notice He did not say two, four, or ten, but only "one!" Therefore, He makes it very easy for the Christian to understand, and leaves no excuse for us failing in this area.

The phrase, "And Mary has Chosen that good part," means that this is a "choice," a choice, incidentally, which every Believer must make. Regrettably, most choose that which Martha chose, hence the spiritual leanness.

The phrase, "Which shall not be taken away from her," proclaims that if the Believer will choose this "good part," The Holy Spirit will guard this sacred choice. This is the very place to which the Holy Spirit desires to bring the Child of God. This is the "Holyof Holies!" These are the people who touch the world.

JSM


 
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
113
#12
To be fair to Martha, she loved the Lord as much as did Mary and Lazarus, but she believed that service to Him would be more important than worship. So the lesson for Christians is that worship and service must go hand in hand and there must be a proper balance. It is also interesting to note that there is no comment about Lazarus in this portion of Scripture.
Remember, only one thing is needed (the best thing) - not two.
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
190
63
#13
I love this.. it actually reminds me of my own sister.. the Messiah is among you and your fretting about worldly tasks rather than admire and love Him... we all have Martha moments but take a breath and remember what the Lord states and all will be well.

Stay calm and remember GOD is Gracious.
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
113
#14
I love this.. it actually reminds me of my own sister.. the Messiah is among you and your fretting about worldly tasks rather than admire and love Him... we all have Martha moments but take a breath and remember what the Lord states and all will be well.

Stay calm and remember GOD is Gracious.
Proverbs 20:24 Living Bible (TLB)

[SUP]24 [/SUP]Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way. Proverbs 37:23 NKJV
 
Last edited:

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#15
To be fair to Martha, she loved the Lord as much as did Mary and Lazarus, but she believed that service to Him would be more important than worship. So the lesson for Christians is that worship and service must go hand in hand and there must be a proper balance. It is also interesting to note that there is no comment about Lazarus in this portion of Scripture.
The proper balance is not to look at your brothers and sisters service as we serve the LORD

Doing that causes our service to be....half hearted and distracted
 

loveme1

Senior Member
Oct 30, 2011
8,083
190
63
#16
Proverbs 20:24 Living Bible (TLB)

[SUP]24 [/SUP]Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way?
Lovely, thank you and Just what I needed reminding of.
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#17
I have difficulty remembering how she grasped his feet, and more so how she had such a heart to share.
Even more so,
How did she see Him?
she saw HIM as her LORD
And she loved HIM

It was apparent in that she sat at HIS feet wanting to hear HIS WORD
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,765
113
#18
Remember, only one thing is needed (the best thing) - not two.
So what you are suggesting is that Christians need not bother with service. But Scripture makes it crystal clear that Christians are servants and stewards and must serve faithfully as much as worship faithfully -- indeed labor in the harvest field.

MATTHEW 25

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, therethou hast that is thine.

26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Martha's "problem" was total preoccupation with service to the detriment of sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His Word.
 
Last edited:

FlSnookman7

Senior Member
Jun 27, 2015
1,125
135
63
#19
Martha was more concerned with the works of making sure all was as it should be, going so far as to rebuke Mary, but Mary was more interested in spending time with Jesus. While Martha felt she needed to add something, Mary realized all she would ever need was right there already.:)
 

miknik5

Senior Member
Jun 2, 2016
7,833
588
113
#20
So what you are suggesting is that Christians need not bother with service. But Scripture makes it crystal clear that Christians are servants and stewards and must serve faithfully as much as worship faithfully -- indeed labor in the harvest field.

MATTHEW 25

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country,who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16
Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17
And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19
After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22
He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25
And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, therethou hast that is thine.

26
His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27
Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28
Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Martha's "problem" was total preoccupation with service to the detriment of sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His Word.
Martha’s problem was she was distracted and preoccupied with things

there was NO detriment in Mary sitting at HER LORD’s feet