Making Wise Decisions | Luke 10:38-42

Introduction
Life is filled with distractions, whether from the demands of our daily routines, the pressures of work, or even the lure of entertainment. In the midst of all this noise, it’s easy to lose focus on what truly matters—our relationship with the Lord. When we lose focus on Jesus, we lose focus on making wise decisions. In this passage, we’ll dive into the story of Martha and Mary from Luke 10:38-42, exploring three key areas: prioritizing the Word, praying to the Lord, and preferring the good portion.

1. Prioritize the Word (Luke 10:38-40a)

• Background & Providence of God (v38):
  • In Luke 10:38, we see Jesus visiting Martha, Mary, and Lazarus in a humble village near the Mount of Olives. Jesus visited their home by the divine intervention of God. Despite their modest living conditions, Martha and Mary’s story illustrates that distractions are not confined to wealth or poverty; distractions are a universal challenge that can prevent us from focusing on the Lord.
• Contrasting Prioritization (v39-40a):
  • Mary: Sat at the feet of Jesus, listening to His teaching, which led to transformation. The term "listening"  is in the imperfect tense, indicating a that future change will occur. When we listen to the Lord, He transforms our hearts and minds (Romans 12:2).
  • Martha: Although she started by listening, she soon became distracted by secular concerns.
  • Who do you most identify with, Mary or Martha?
  • If we’re not careful, we may find ourselves prioritizing worldly activities over God’s Word. To make wise decisions, we must emphasize making God's Word a priority in our lives (Psalm 111:10).

2. Pray to the Lord (Luke 10:40b-41)

• The Heart of the Issue (v40b):
  • Martha’s issue wasn’t simply that Mary wasn’t helping her; it was that she felt overwhelmed, bearing the weight of her circumstances alone. However, in Christ, we are never alone in our burdens (1 Peter 5:7). Even in her frustration, Martha’s conversation with the Lord highlights the importance of communicating with God.
• Jesus Ministers to Martha (v41):
  • Jesus gently corrects Martha, pointing out her anxious and troubled heart. Prayer isn’t about changing God; it’s about changing us and aligning us with His will (John 16:13).
  • When we pray, even in our frustration, God hears our prayers and ministers to us. Therefore, we must remain vigilant in prayer, knowing that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

3. Prefer the Good Portion (Luke 10:42)

• Let God Lead Us, Not Our Worries (v42):
  • Mary chose to be led by Jesus, while Martha chose to be led by her worldly concerns.
• The Necessity (v42):
  • Jesus emphasizes the need to choose the good portion—Himself and His Word. By preferring Christ, we secure eternal rewards rather than temporary solutions to worldly issues.
• Grace Leads to Obedience (v42):
  • Reflecting on this passage, we see that God’s grace prompts us to choose Him and His ways. The encounter between Jesus and Martha was no accident; it was a divine intervention initiated by God.
• Good Portion Guaranteed:
  • Choosing Jesus leads to eternal, unshakeable rewards (Philippians 3:12-13). In Him, we find eternal security and peace as our good portion.

Conclusion

• Life’s distractions can easily pull us away from our relationship with the Lord. By prioritizing the Word, staying vigilant in prayer, and preferring the good portion, we can keep our focus on Jesus. As we reflect on the story of Martha and Mary, let’s strive for the one thing that is necessary—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Scripture References:

• Luke 10:38-42
• Romans 12:2
• Psalm 111:10
• 1 Peter 5:7
• John 16:13
• Philippians 3:12-13