INTERESTING FACTS : Noah Webster, American lexicographer known for his American Spelling Book (1783) and his American Dictionary of the English Language, 2 vol. (1828; 2nd ed., 1840). Webster was instrumental in giving American English a dignity and vitality of its own. Both his speller and dictionary reflected his principle that spelling, grammar, and usage should be based upon the living, spoken language rather than on artificial rules. He also made useful contributions as a teacher, grammarian, journalist, essayist, lecturer, and lobbyist.

 

When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws. [1]

 

Daily Reading : LUKE 10 - 11, 12 - 13

 

TEXT : Luke  10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.  10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.  10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:  10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

THEME : Anxiety

 

Luke 10 

 

Christ appoints seventy disciples to go before him, two by two, to preach, heal, etc., Luk_10:1-12. Pronounces woes on Chorazin and Capernaum, Luk_10:13-16. The seventy return, and give account of their mission, Luk_10:17-20. Christ rejoices that the things which were hidden from the wise and prudent had been revealed unto babes, and shows the great privileges of the Gospel, Luk_10:21-24. A lawyer inquires how he shall inherit eternal life, and is answered, Luk_10:25-29. The story of the good Samaritan, Luk_10:30-37. The account of Martha and Mary, Luk_10:38-42.  (Matthew Henry)[2]

 

Luke 11 

 

Christ teaches his disciples to pray, Luk_11:1-4. Shows the necessity of importunity in prayer, Luk_11:5-13. Casts out a dumb demon, Luk_11:14. The Jews ascribe this to the power of Beelzebub; our Lord vindicates his conduct, Luk_11:15-23. Miserable state of the Jews, Luk_11:24-26. Who they are that are truly blessed, Luk_11:27, Luk_11:28. He preaches to the people, Luk_11:29-36. A Pharisee invites him to dine with him, who takes offense because he washed not his hands, Luk_11:37, Luk_11:38. Our Lord exposes their hypocrisy, Luk_11:39-44. He denounces woes against the lawyers, Luk_11:45-52. The scribes and Pharisees are greatly offended, and strive to entangle him in his words, Luk_11:53, Luk_11:54.  (Adam Clarke)[3]

 

Luke 12 

 

Christ preaches to his disciples against hypocrisy; and against timidity in publishing the Gospel, Luk_12:1-5. Excites them to have confidence in Divine providence, Luk_12:6, Luk_12:7. Warns them against denying him, or betraying his cause, Luk_12:8, Luk_12:9. Of the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, Luk_12:10. Promises direction and support in persecution, Luk_12:11, Luk_12:12. Warns the people against covetousness, Luk_12:13-15. Parable of the rich man who pulled down his granaries to build greater, Luk_12:16-21. Cautions against carking cares and anxieties, Luk_12:22-32. The necessity of living to God, and in reference to eternity, Luk_12:33-40. At the request of Peter, he farther explains the preceding discourse, Luk_12:41-48. The effects that should be produced by the preaching of the Gospel, Luk_12:49-53. The signs of the times, Luk_12:54-57. The necessity of being prepared to appear before the judgment seat of God, Luk_12:58, Luk_12:59.  (Matthew Henry)[2]

 

Luke 13 

 

Christ preaches the necessity of repentance, from the punishment of the Galileans massacred by Pilate, Luk_13:1-3. And by the death of those on whom the tower in Siloam fell, Luk_13:4, Luk_13:5. The parable of the barren fig tree, vv. 6-29. Christ cures a woman who had been afflicted eighteen years, Luk_13:10-13. The ruler of the synagogue is incensed and is reproved by our Lord, Luk_13:14-17. The parable of the mustard seed, Luk_13:18, Luk_13:19; of the leaven, Luk_13:20-21. He journeys towards Jerusalem, and preaches, Luk_13:22. The question, Are there few saved? and our Lords answer, with the discourse thereon, Luk_13:23-30. He is informed that Herod purposes to kill him, Luk_13:31, Luk_13:32. Predicts his own death at Jerusalem, and denounces judgments on that impenitent city, Luk_13:33-35.  (Adam Clarke)[3]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "ONLY ONE THING IS NEEDED IN LIFE."

 

Who today is not feeling the pressures and stress of modern life?  It would appear that no one has escaped.   Every person alive, everywhere in the world, (or so it would seem) is feeling the pressure of the times we live in which, sin and estrangement from God has created.  Truly, as Thomas Paine said-"these are the times that try men's souls."[6]

 

Yet, the truth is, there has never been a time in human history when life was easy.  Thomas Paine lived in the 18th century when he wrote those words.  It is obvious from what he wrote, that life just before the American Revolution was difficult as you read in his word -"try." Further, you could scour the great volumes of history and find that people always found life to be difficult.  Hence, life has always been a challenge.  What makes the difference in how you think and feel though, is your attitude, approach, and perspective.  Thankfully, you have the Holy Scriptures to give you God's perspective and His principals to guide you.

 

In the house of Martha and Mary (which was also the home of Lazarus) you see before you what can only be termed - "a nervous woman." You should notice the invitation, or at least the reception, for Jesus and his Apostles to come in came from Martha.  This tells us something about her from the start.  No doubt, she was a gracious and hospitable woman.  She opens her door to Jesus with the intent of refreshing Him and giving Him some rest.  This goes for the Apostles as well.  Notice in the text of Luke 10:38 it tells us "Martha received him into her house." The personal pronoun -"her," gives us an indication that she was in charge of the home, or perhaps of simply running it.  At least, she was in charge of the home as it pertained to invited guests.  Therefore, we may infer from the text that Martha was without a doubt -"in charge."

 

Anyone who is in charge - that is, a father, mother, boss, etc., knows what it is like to have much responsibility.  Further, many of you can identify with Martha - presumably the women, as you are more concerned with your home then your husband perhaps, or we may say, of men in general.  It seems natural, that women take more care and concern of the home then men do.  Further, when one woman is in charge when there are two in the house, many times one woman will dominate.  This was the case in the home of Martha and her sister Mary and their brother Lazarus.  Martha felt, or perhaps for some other reason that we do not see in the text, that all the responsibility fell on her.  For this reason, she was overburdened.  Although, you may note - her being overburdened was self-imposed.  At least, when it comes to being anxious and troubled.

 

When we see Jesus, presumably sitting, we also see Mary sitting at his feet.  No doubt, He is teaching as you read the phrase "heard his word." In contrast, in Luke 10:40, Martha is "cumbered"[vi] about serving the guests.  This word "cumbered" means to be distracted mentally.  It has its origins from a Greek word that means to be drawn apart.  Thus, the application of the word is in essence a state of anxiety, or great, overwhelming concern.  Martha's mind was, as we say-"all over the place." Between the two sisters, there is quite a contrast.  Mary is unconcerned with the guests and their needs, while Martha is nothing but concerned with the guests and their needs.  The two, at that moment in time, were complete opposites.  They could be no further apart in their view of life at that moment in their home then the North Pole is from the South Pole.

 

Martha speaks first.  This forwardness, by the way, would be the same at the grave of Lazarus. That is, Martha speaks first to the Master on the way to the tomb, just before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  Also, after Lazarus died, Mary sat in the house.  Unlike her sister, Mary sat still as Martha went out to meet Jesus when he arrived.  Keep in mind, the two sisters had called for Jesus while Lazarus was still alive.  At the time they requested Jesus to come, Lazarus was very sick but not dead.  By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus was dead and buried.  Therefore, even in that hardship you see a significant difference between the two sisters.  One is more reflective and contemplative, the other more active and animated.  Both sisters are disciples and friends of Christ. Yet, the two had personalities as different as night and day as you can see.

 

In any case, Martha objects to the circumstances saying-"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?" She actually petitions Jesus, to get Him to do something about Mary's perceived inactivity.  However, Jesus is not moved.  Here is where you learn life's great lesson - God must be loved supremely above all else, above everyone else.  This is aptly demonstrated by Mary sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word.  It is not to say the motives of Martha were wrong or bad.  It is only to point out that without Christ you can do nothing.  Even more, Jesus instructs Martha - calling her name twice (a term of endearment as well as emphasis), telling Martha that she is anxious and troubled much of the time.  Stated another way, Martha is a nervous person who worries about many things.  Although she takes her responsibilities and duties seriously, (as you should also), Jesus shows her that her anxieties about life are not only unwarranted but they are useless and not helpful.

 

Jesus taught that you cannot add one inch to your height, nor can you change one hair of your head from black to white by worrying.  Worry is the same as apprehension that is the same as fear.   Throughout the Bible, hundreds of times, God tells you "fear not," or "be not afraid." Being fearful is an indication of a lack of trust in God, in a deficiency of the perception of His love, and it is emphatically - a belief. 

 

Fear is a belief, just as faith is a belief.  Happily, you can choose between the two options.  If you are prone to be fearful, you do not have to stay that way the rest of your life.  You can change beliefs.   All you need to do is to accept the Word of God, and like Mary, sit at Jesus' feet and hear what He has to say to you.  Remember this - all that Jesus says is for your benefit not His.  Therefore, when Jesus tells you to -"fear not," he is trying to instill in you the serenity that belongs to the nature and power of God.  Jesus is attempting to impart to you His joy, His peace, His faith, His confidence, His love, and therefore, His (eternal) life.  Jesus does not want you to be anxious or depressed about anything.  This is what you learn from the text concerning Jesus at the house of Martha and Mary.  You learn, according to Luke 10:42 that if you sit at Jesus' feet hearing His word, it will not be taken from you.

 

So, take time today and sit at the feet of Jesus by reading the Word of God.  Read Bible passages that impart courage and calmness, and that bring you serenity and tranquility.  Review, for instance - Psalm 23.   The LORD is your shepherd.  You shall not want.  He will lead you beside the still waters.  He will restore your soul.  He will lead you in the path of righteousness, (which is also the path of peace), for His Name sake.  This is what He did for Mary.  Jesus led Mary in the path of peace beside the still waters where she found rest for her soul.  It was never taken from her, and it will not be taken from you either.

 

[vi] Cumbered  περισπάω perispaō Thayer Definition: 1) to draw around, to draw away, distract 2) metaphorically 2a) to be driven about mentally, to be distracted 2b) to be over-occupied, too busy, about a thing Part of Speech: verb, A Related Word by Thayer's/Strong's Number: from G4012 and G4685

 

Thayer, Joseph Henry. Thayer's Lexicon Greek - English Lexicon of the New Testament. Public Domain, 1889.