JESUS SENDS OUT THE SEVENTY-TWO, Ron Ward
HOW TO PROPERLY WELCOME JESUS
Passage: Luke 10:38~42  
Key verse: 42b
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha(A) opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,(B) who sat at the Lord’s feet(C) listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care(D) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried(E) and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a](F) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Footnotes
- Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Cross references
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
1. The best way to welcome Jesus (38-39)
Martha did a wonderful thing, welcoming the Lord and his disciples into her home. Serving this number of people was an enormous task and she devoted herself to it wholeheartedly. But she welcomed the Lord according to her own idea, not his. Look at Jesus. What did he do when he entered their home? He began to share the Word of God. His desire is not for us to be overcome with busyness, but to listen to him and to delight in him like Mary, who sat at his feet and gave him her undivided attention. Mary welcomed the Lord in the way that pleases him.
2. Fellowship with Jesus (40-42)
Martha was distracted and overwhelmed. She came to Jesus and asked him, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" She called Jesus 'Lord', but was she allowing him to be the Lord? No! She was telling him what to do! When we welcome Jesus into our homes, we must listen to Him and submit our lives to Him. According to Jesus, listening to him is the only thing that is needed. Then, as we come and gather at his feet, we can experience his peace and enjoy his presence. This wonderful fellowship we have with Jesus can never be taken away from us.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we welcome you into our homes. Help us to listen to you and enjoy your presence.
One Word: Choose what is better