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Sermon...

“But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.’”

(Luke 10:41)

Here we see a home consisting of one brother and two sisters who maintained a very close relationship with Jesus.

It was Martha who invited Jesus into their home (Luke 10:38). Lazarus became a friend of Jesus (John 11:11).

The Bible does not tell us much about Lazarus’s character. But in this passage, we see two sisters who grew up in the same home yet had very different personalities.

Martha was the embodiment of energy and activity.

When people were crowding around Jesus to see Him and receive healing, Martha approached Him with a face full of joy.

“Lord, would You come to my house?”

She did not invite Jesus home because someone in the family needed deliverance. She simply wanted to welcome and serve Him.

As soon as they reached the house, she said, “Teacher, please rest for a little while. I’ll be right back...”

And then the whole house became a scene of activity.

The dishes clattered. She ground and crushed things, drew water, cooked, and the aroma of boiling curries spread throughout the house.

The whole purpose of her running around was to prepare the most delicious meal possible for Jesus.

Mary, on the other hand, was a gentle and radiant character.

The moment she saw Jesus, she sat down at His feet.

Jesus looked at her attentively.

Her eyes seemed to silently say, “Please tell me something. I am eagerly waiting to hear those beautiful words from You.”

And Jesus began to speak His word to her.

While Martha was busy with all her work, she passed by and saw Mary sitting there.

“Oh! What an irresponsible person she is! Can’t she see that I am struggling here all alone? If only she would help me, I could serve the Lord’s meal more quickly.”

Thinking this to herself, she walked away with heavy footsteps.

This time, the clattering of the dishes became a little louder.

(After all, sisters often communicate the message, “Pay attention to me!” through the kitchen utensils.)

But Martha’s plan failed!

Mary did not even notice the increasing noise in the kitchen.

(Just like husbands who remain completely unaware of what is happening at home while reading the newspaper!)

The reason was that Mary was completely absorbed in listening to the beautiful words of Jesus.

Finally, Martha lost her patience.

She brought the matter directly before Jesus.

She had two objectives.

First, if the Teacher told Mary to help, Mary would obey. From the next day onward, Martha would have help with all the household chores.

Second, Jesus would appreciate and acknowledge how hard she had been working.

But the answer Martha received from Jesus was not what she expected.

The Lord was not belittling what Martha was doing.

Rather, Jesus was teaching her that it is not right to insist that everyone should be like us.

“Everyone should pray the same way as I pray...”

“Everyone should give the same way as I give...”

“Everyone should fast the same way as I fast...”

But the body has many different parts, and each has a different function.

Let each person faithfully do what has been entrusted to them, without judging or comparing themselves with others!

Martha understood the Lord’s message.

In John 12:2, we see her serving without complaints, without resentment, without being troubled or confused.

Now...

Two important lessons for today...

🔹 Martha, what were you thinking?

You thought, “I am the one who works hard and gives, while my sister simply sits there and receives.” Isn’t that so?

But did you see what happened when Mary took the precious perfume she had accumulated through much sacrifice and poured it on Jesus’ feet?

A person who receives from Jesus will also surrender everything to Him.

The evidence that a person has truly heard and received the Word is revealed through complete surrender.

🔹 This home in Bethany did not welcome Jesus merely to see deliverance or miracles.

They welcomed Him simply to serve Him and to listen to His Word.

But...

The greatest miracle was what the Lord had prepared for that household.

Lazarus had been dead for four days. His body had already begun to decay, to stink, and to decompose.

Yet life entered that dead body!

Dear child of God,

Many people come to Jesus only for healing and deliverance.

But for you, who eagerly listen to His Word, surrender yourself to Him, and give to Him even in your lack—He will bring life even to the place where there is a stench of death.

Believe it...!

He will do it...!!

May God bless everyone.