• Disciplined Mary (Luke 10:39)– Mary sat at Jesus’ feet (ancient posture of pupils, cf. Ac. 22:3)– Mary was continually listening to His word/teaching– Mary knew that she could not live by bread alone (Matt. 4:4)

• Distracted Martha (Luke 10:40)– Martha was continually drawn away, distracted & over-

occupied with much serving– Martha, in her anger and encumbered state, complained to

Jesus about her sister• Appears to reproach Jesus for monopolizing Mary to Martha’s hurt• Fussed that Mary was neglecting serving duties, leaving all to Martha• Ordered Jesus to order Mary to help her in her serving duties

– Absorbed in what she could do for Jesus, Martha forgot about what Jesus could do for her

• Discerning Jesus (Luke 10:41-42)– Jesus’ evaluation of Martha:

Worried and troubled about too many things• Martha was overly-concerned to entertain Jesus

– She was rebuked by Jesus for was stressing the material• Jesus, who loved Martha, called her by name and chastened her (cf.

Heb. 12:5-9)• Martha worried about “many things” in contrast to the “one thing”

that is truly important (cf. Mt. 6:25-34)

• Discerning Jesus (Luke 10:41-42)– Jesus’ evaluation of Mary:

Chose the one needed, good, eternal thing• There is one duty or privilege that is pre-eminent

– Food for the soul is the ONE thing needful– It is a matter of prioritizing matters

• Mary chose the “good part” and kept on listening to Jesus– Commended by Jesus for emphasizing the spiritual over material

• Mary’s feast would not be taken away from her– Live by the living word (1 Pet. 1:25) & you’ll live forever (Jn. 8:51)– There is eternal value in placing first things first