#1035. Mary loved to listen to Jesus (16/4/24)

This week, in our Luke series, we pick up with the account of Mary and Martha. Today, let’s briefly consider how Jesus wants us to devote ourselves, above all else, to listening to Him.

‘As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”’ (Luke 10:38-42)

Luke 10:38–42

Lesson: Jesus, again, emphasises the importance of listening to His Word and He uses Mary’s example as a model for us.

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What are we listening to? What do we give our attention to? Over recent days and weeks, how have you directed your mind? If you were to take a moment to list the various things you’ve read, watched or listened to, how much of your attention has been on Jesus and learning from Him? We all have access to more information than anyone in history and, therefore, we have never had more opportunity to direct our minds toward what feeds our souls or toward what is unhelpful to our hearts.

In today’s text, we see that although it was Martha who opened her home to Him, it was Mary who opened her heart and mind to welcome His Word. Likewise, we can open our lives to Christ but fail to learn from Him as we should.

Mary sat at the Lord’s feet

Sitting at the feet of a teacher was the posture of a disciple. Mary’s demeanour marks her out as a disciple. It would have been highly unusual, at the time, for a woman to take such a position - at the feet of a man as a disciple - so Luke is wanting to highlight that women, as we saw in 8:1-3, are also called to learn from Christ.

Mary listened to what He said

Mary is presented as an exemplary disciple. Her example is designed to reinforce aspects of previous teaching:

Firstly, her listening to Christ, reminds us of our Lord’s Transfiguration in the previous chapter, where the Father had said from heaven:

‘A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”’ (Luke 9:35)

Luke 9:35

Mary is presented as one who is seeking to do this.

Secondly, she reminds us of The Parable of the Soils, where Jesus reveals that He wants us to be good soil for His Word:

‘But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.’ (Luke 8:15).

Luke 8:15

Thirdly, Mary’s example reminds us of Jesus’ parable of the lamp that teaches us to let His Word shine on us and through us:

‘Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.”’ (Luke 8:18)

Luke 8:18

Finally, Mary reminds us, and fits the definition of those whom Jesus defines as His family:

‘He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”’ (Luke 8:21)

Luke 8:21

Response

Jesus, again, emphasises the importance of listening to His Word and He uses Mary’s example as a model for us. Do we listen to Jesus? Are we good soil for the Word? Are we hiding from and hiding the light of His Word? Are we behaving like Jesus’ family who love His Word? Are we, like Mary, valuing His Word - His voice - above all else in our lives?