The Good Part: Luke 10:38-42

“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I commanded you” (Deut. 4:2, NASB).

The coronavirus COVID-19 is a global pandemic that has effected change all over the world. Although there are at least three vaccines that have proven to be effective in preventing one from contracting the virus, the world is not yet safe and free from its deadly effects. There are still a lot of people groups that refuse to take the vaccine. The reason for not taking the vaccine is different groups of people. African Americans do not trust the vaccine because of the unfortunate history of Black people being killed by experimental drug treatments. Rural and conservative white men do not believe that the virus is a real problem; the list goes on. The virus has caused many churches to close their doors. Some churches have closed down totally. Some are having virtual services via zoom, Facebook, you tube, and other social media networks. The ministries of churches have a different focus because of a perceived shift in priorities. This article emphasizes the need for the one thing that needs to be emphasized in the church regardless of the changes seen in the world today. Jesus said to Martha that the Good Part should not be taken away.

Before we begin with our scripture passage from Luke, let us revisit our scripture at the beginning of this article. In Deuteronomy 4:2 Moses is giving his final address to the Israelites that are preparing to take possession of the Promised Land. In his address Moses is reminding the people that they are a covenant people with the Lord their God. It has been forty years since God delivered them out of bondage in Egypt. The covenant requires the people to have no other god except the Lord. The covenant requires that the people are to be holy. To be holy means that they will live separate from the peoples of the land that they are to take possession of so that they do not worship their gods and fail to take possession of the land that the Lord is giving to them. The message that Moses is giving the people now is the same message that He gave to the people forty years earlier in Exodus 19:1-8, (See article in archives “Called to be Holy,” August 2019). Now, let us look at our scripture passage for today.

Luke 10 begins with Jesus sending out seventy disciples that were not numbered with the twelve. These were needed because “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Lk 10:2). These disciples are given the task of casting out demons, healing the sick and diseased and restoring health. Now, we must keep in mind that sickness and disease are considered by many to be the results of sin. Thus, when one is healed, it means that they have their relationship with God restored. They are forgiven of their sins. We can see this in the warnings that Jesus gives to the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum (vv. 13-15). Further, Jesus answers a lawyer’s question about eternal life by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan (vv. 25-37) which tells us that eternal life is possible for all people. Everything that takes place in Luke 10 point to Jesus as the One sent from the Father to do the will of the Father.

The story of Martha and her sister Mary (vv. 38-42) gives us insight on how the church can become more focused on issues in the world than on focusing on eternal life in the kingdom of God. Martha and Mary are the sisters of Lazarus that Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:1). They were the daughters of Simon the leper (Matt. 26:6). This family is pictured in the gospels as being close friends of Jesus. It is Mary who anoints Jesus’ feet with expensive oil and wipes His feet with her hair (Matt. 26:7; Mk. 14:3; Lk. 7:44). Martha is the sister that is more focused on things that need to be done.

Now, there are a lot of people that use this text to point out that Martha is a woman bound by tradition. Mary, on the other hand is an example of a woman that breaks through traditional barriers that control women. Although there may be some truth to this position, I believe that the Gospel of Luke and especially in our passage points more to what the church places emphases on. Why do I say this?

In Luke 8:2-3 when read these words: “and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means” (NASB). These women are free from the traditional roles of women. They are accepted in the company of Jesus and His disciples. Luke 10 does not free Mary from traditions because Jesus shows throughout His ministry that all people have access to Him and the Father; all are needed to be laborers in the harvest.

In the story before us, Jesus and His disciples stop by to visit Martha who welcomes them to her home. Apparently Martha is the older and she is in charge of the home. It is Martha that welcomes Jesus and His disciple. Naturally, she wants to be a good host that sees to the comfort of her guest. When Jesus arrives Mary takes a seat alongside Jesus and the disciples and “listens to His words” (v. 39). “But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me’” (v. 40). Martha thinks that preparing the meal is more important than sitting with Jesus and listening to His words. On the other hand Mary has a different perspective. She is not lazy. She is not trying to get out of working. Mary knows that her relationship with Jesus and knowing His words is more important than anything else.

Jesus tells Martha that the things that she is most concerned about are not as important as the things that Mary is most attracted to. Jesus says to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her. The good part is eternal life. Jesus makes this clear when the seventy return with joy because of their success in casting out demons in the name of Jesus (v. 17). Jesus says to them: “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven” (v. 20).

In the church there are people that participate in the work of the church. Now, these things are important and needed. However, it is often the case that those most busy serving the needs of the church believe that their services to the church are more important than their personal relationship with Jesus. These hard workers may spend little of their time with the Lord in prayer and hearing what Jesus has to say about the things that are taking place in their lives. Frankly put, many people that are active participants in the ministries do not read their bibles; they do not know God’s word.

The church as a whole is no different. The emphases of the church during this pandemic is more concerned about issues of social justice, changes in forms of worship, vaccinations, and how one should live so that they can avoid problems and have success in these troubled time. At the same time there is less emphasis being placed on issues of sin, obedience to God’s commandments that are central to our covenant relationship with God. Jesus never promised the church that it could avoid troubles. Jesus never promised to make us successful according to the world’s standards. Rather, the church is commissioned to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. The church is commissioned to make disciples of Jesus for the sake of the kingdom; not to satisfy our own personal agendas. Jesus warns us repeatedly in the gospels that His disciples will be rejected by the world. The world will seek to change the word of God. It will not obey His words that call for His people to make their relationship with Him most important in our lives. In Luke 10:42 Jesus says that sitting at His feet, establishing our relationship with Him; hearing His teaching is the good part that we are to be most focused on because it is our relationship to Jesus that determines our eternal home.