Are You a Mary or a Martha? (Part 1)
Imagine with me, if you will, that you are at home one afternoon and hear a vehicle pull up outside. You look out the window and can't help but notice a long, white limousine! You stare as the driver gets out, walks to the back of the limo, and opens a door. A man in a suit emerges. You can't believe your eyes--it's the President of the United States of America! It's George W. Bush, and he's now walking toward your front door.

You run to the door to answer it, feeling rather nervous and a bit confused. The President smiles as he approaches you. He extends his hand and warmly says, "Hi, I'm George. I was hoping I'd be able to sit down and visit with you today. Would that be OK?" You can't believe all of this is happening. The President of the USA wants to talk with you in your home! Certainly, it's okay with you. "Please, come on in, Mr. President!"

And now for the big question: What happens next? Probably one of two things will happen. Either both of you will sit down in your living room and have a wonderful conversation or the dialogue could end up going something like this:

"Mr. President, I'm really sorry about my messy house. If I'd have known you were coming I would have dusted, and mopped, and vacuumed, and washed the windows, and cut the grass."

The President then says, "Your home looks wonderful. I'm not really here to talk about that. I just wanted to come by and visit with you about..."

"Well, Mr. President, can I get you something to drink? Maybe some tea or a soda? Let me go get a drink for you."

"No," the President says, "I'm really not thirsty. I just wanted to sit down and visit with you about..."

"Oh, well, if you're not thirsty, I bet you're hungry then! Do you like steak? I've got some great steaks, I can go cook them up right away for you."

Friends, how would you act if the President actually did come to your house one afternoon? Would you be able to enjoy the opportunity to speak with someone with that much authority and power, or would you be so concerned about many other things like your house, food, etc., that you couldn't even concentrate? How would you act?

Even more importantly, how would you act if someone infinitely more important than the President stopped by for a visit at your house? How would you act if Jesus Christ paid you a visit?

Let's read Luke 10:38-42 at this time to see how two women in the first century reacted under those circumstances. "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. 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.' And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

These two sisters were both thrilled to have Jesus visit in their home. However, Mary and Martha did not respond in the same way to our Lord's visit. In fact, there was quite a contrast between them. Mary was content to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him, but Martha, on the other hand, was worried and troubled about many things--like the house, food, etc.

Tomorrow, some points of contrast will be considered between Mary and Martha. Then, we will encourage you to examine yourself and answer the question: "Am I more like Mary or Martha?"