Luke 10:38-42

1. We often live according to traditions that have developed over time, shaped by what people have deemed reasonable and beneficial. However, the fact that a tradition has endured does not necessarily mean it is inherently right. Traditions that overlook or fail to honor individual needs have historically led to misunderstandings, often becoming rigid rules that many feel obligated to follow. This has prompted younger generations, who resist such constraints, to ignite movements like deconstructionism. In this context, the Gospel of Luke testifies to the coming of the Messiah, who offers genuine freedom to Israel—a nation long weighed down by restrictive traditions. Luke portrays Jesus not as a figure enforcing new customs, but as one who invites people to experience true freedom and life in God. Through Luke's account, Jesus emerges as a liberator, leading individuals away from outdated practices and into the fullness of divine freedom.

2. Luke shows us that Jesus is the one who heals those suffering from pain and illness, restoring them to the community from which they were excluded. He reaches out to those dismissed by prejudice, enabling them to live fully once again. And for those kept from true fellowship with God by tradition, He reveals a path not through ritual, but through life itself. Today, let's explore what Jesus ultimately conveys to us through the story of Martha and Mary, and what guidance we should follow from it. Let's read Luke 10:38-42.

Luke 10:38–39 NRSV

Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.

Luke 10:40–42 NRSV

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

3. Martha is likely one of the most misunderstood figures in the Bible worldwide. This may be because today’s passage can make her seem solely focused on tasks, as if she lacks interest in spiritual matters. Today, rather than focusing on this specific aspect, I would like to begin by clarifying some misunderstandings about Martha. Martha appears prominently in the Bible three times: first in today’s passage, then in John 11, and finally in John 12. In each instance, she is portrayed as someone actively engaged in welcoming and serving guests.

4. To understand Martha’s actions, we need to consider the role of women in 1st-century Greco-Roman and Jewish societies. Among various expectations, a woman’s primary responsibilities included managing the household, keeping it in order, and welcoming guests—all duties centered around domestic responsibilities. Consistent with this tradition, women had limited freedom to engage in activities outside the home, and educational opportunities were even less accessible, as household duties generally did not require formal education.

5. Additionally, women were expected to remain separate from men in public spaces, with their interactions with men strictly limited. Against this backdrop, Martha emerges as a deeply traditional and conservative woman who closely follows the societal norms of her time. 

6. For Martha, tradition meant that serving Jesus was a good and worthy action, yet it also prevented her from fully engaging in fellowship with Him. The tradition she held so firmly led her to focus on her many tasks, leaving little space to receive Jesus’ teachings. In contrast, Mary, despite moments of shaken faith later on, prioritized Jesus—the Word of life—over tradition, choosing to be close to Him. While Martha was busy preparing for the guests, Mary chose instead to sit among the men and listen to Jesus’ teachings. This dynamic is something we still often see today: eldest daughters are usually occupied with preparing and attending to guests, while the younger ones are more focused on interacting with and enjoying time alongside them.

7. When we read the passages featuring Martha, an interesting detail stands out: Jesus engages in more direct conversation with Martha than with Mary. For example, in Luke 10, Martha asks Jesus to speak to Mary on her behalf, and in John 11, it is Martha who goes out to meet Jesus when He arrives. These moments underscore a unique dynamic in their relationship, where Jesus communicates directly and personally with Martha.

John 11:19–22 NLT

and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”

8. When reading the Bible, we should pay close attention to events or characters that receive focused attention, as this focus often suggests a deeper message the Bible aims to convey through recurring events or individuals. From this perspective, when we look at Martha in Luke 10 and John 11, we see a woman who makes choices and decisions rooted in tradition. Yet, once her faith is firmly established, she emerges as someone with unshakeable conviction.

John 11:23–27 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

9. Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet in Luke 10 is often seen as passive, but it was actually a bold and intentional act of discipleship. In 1st-century Jewish society, women were expected to serve and remain in the background, not to take the place of a disciple at a rabbi’s feet. By choosing this position, Mary stepped outside traditional gender roles and expressed a deep desire to learn from Jesus. Her action demonstrated her commitment to valuing His teaching over conforming to societal expectations. Mary’s decision reflects her spiritual hunger and priority to be near Jesus, recognizing that true fellowship meant listening to Him rather than focusing solely on tasks.

10. However, Mary’s faith journey wasn’t without challenges. In John 11, when her brother Lazarus dies, Mary’s response differs from her earlier devotion. Instead of rushing to meet Jesus like Martha, she stays behind, seemingly overwhelmed by grief. This reaction shows that even those who love Jesus deeply can experience moments of doubt and sorrow. The Gospels give a balanced portrayal of Mary—she chose the “better part” by focusing on Jesus, yet she also faced the natural emotions of disappointment and pain. Her story reminds us that following Jesus is an ongoing journey that involves perseverance in faith, even when circumstances are difficult.

John 11:1–2 NIV

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.)

John 11:28 NIV

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.”

11. Thus, the story of Martha and Mary in Luke 10 is not about judging a busy woman or questioning someone’s faith. Rather, it can be understood as an extension of Jesus’ perspective on tradition and true life. Through this story, Jesus emphasizes that while traditions have value, spiritual life and devotion to God hold even greater significance. When Jesus began His ministry, He proclaimed His vision in Luke 4:18-19, announcing the year of Jubilee, a message of true freedom and life. From chapter 5 through chapter 9, we see Jesus restoring life and granting true freedom to those oppressed by illness or difficult circumstances. Jesus’ perspective was clear: He rebuked traditions that upheld rituals without valuing life, emphasizing that even on the Sabbath, it is right to save lives. This message is also evident in the story of the Good Samaritan. As believers, our calling, as we discussed last week, is not merely to uphold tradition but to share the life Jesus has given us. Today’s passage can be seen as a continuation of this teaching.

Luke 10:40–42 ESV

But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

12. When tradition functions in a healthy way, it can provide legitimacy to people's actions and create a foundation for everyone to live safely together. However, when tradition loses its healthiness, it can become a burden and a source of oppression, ultimately making life more difficult. This is because tradition is a human-made custom, not absolute truth.

13. For Martha, tradition meant that serving Jesus was a good and worthy action, yet it also prevented her from fully engaging in fellowship with Him. The tradition she held so firmly led her to focus on her many tasks, leaving little space to receive Jesus' teachings. In contrast, Mary, despite moments of shaken faith later on, prioritized Jesus—the Word of life—over tradition, choosing to be close to Him. Jesus' words to Martha can thus be understood as an invitation not to let tradition take precedence over life itself. If tradition obstructs the path to life, then He calls us to let go of those burdens and instead choose life. In essence, if tradition becomes oppressive, it has lost its true purpose and health; in such cases, Jesus urges us to embrace life over tradition.

14. But how can we discern when a tradition has lost its vitality? This is indeed challenging. Traditions have endured beautifully over time, and because they are so ingrained, we often uphold them without much thought or difficulty. Distinguishing whether a tradition remains healthy is difficult with our own knowledge and efforts alone. This is why we must daily seek the power of the Holy Spirit, allowing His help to continually renew our hearts. Without this, we will naturally be inclined to adopt the mindset and ways of the current age, rather than remaining aligned with God’s purposes.

Romans 12:1–2 MSG

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

15. The book I recently read is Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth. While I was reading this book, I found and insightful quotations as it explores the driving force behind successful people. One sentence, in particular, stood out to me:

Grit is about working on something you care about so much that you’re willing to stay loyal to it… Right, it’s doing what you love, but not just falling in love—staying in love.

This line resonated deeply, encapsulating Duckworth’s message that real perseverance is sustained dedication to something meaningful, beyond just initial enthusiasm.

16. What I focused on in this passage is not so much the concept of grit itself, but rather the principle behind it. Having grit means dedicating ourselves fully to what we believe in, so that our commitment shines through in everything we do. If grit is truly within us, it’s not merely about desiring or feeling love on an emotional level; it’s about actively dwelling within that love—in the love of God. Just as Mary chose what was better, choosing the Word, choosing Jesus over tradition, and decided to stay close to Him, we too are called to abide in Christ, in His love. This is the grace of God, and it is the essence of true grit.

17. Let us not remain bound by tradition. If tradition does not stand firmly on truth, if it does not align with Scripture, then let us release outdated traditions and hold fast to life itself. We are not called merely to uphold tradition; we are called to receive new life through faith in Jesus Christ and to bear witness to that life. Therefore, let us earnestly desire to dwell in the Holy Spirit and live under the Spirit’s guidance as children of the Lord. We are disciples of Jesus Christ.