Work & Worship
Proper 11, Year C
Luke 10:38-42
Following the parable of the Good Samaritan—where Jesus shows us what it means to love our neighbor—Luke offers a second story that completes the Great Commandment: the call to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. The brief but profound encounter between Jesus, Mary, and Martha reveals not just the tension between work and rest, but the heart of true worship.
Jesus enters a village and is welcomed into Martha’s home. While Martha busies herself with preparations, her sister Mary chooses instead to sit at Jesus’ feet, listening to His word. Martha, frustrated and overwhelmed, asks Jesus to intervene. But rather than rebuke Mary, Jesus gently redirects Martha’s concern, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things; but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her.”
This account teaches us that while work is not inherently wrong—indeed, it is part of our worship—our posture matters. Martha is not scolded for serving, but for being distracted, anxious, and spiritually detached from Jesus in the process. In contrast, Mary demonstrates the proper posture of worship: seated, listening, resting in Jesus.
This passage challenges us to see that worship must precede and permeate all our work. Martha represents the distracted disciple—busy, burdened, and burned out. Mary, however, shows us the better part: devotion at the feet of Jesus. From this, we learn several key truths:
Worship and the Word: True worship begins by sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His Word. Like Mary, we need spiritual food more than physical provision. As Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Matt. 4:4). If we do not begin with Christ, our work—even if well-intentioned—can lead us into anxiety and frustration.
Worship and Work: Work is a good gift of God, meant to be offered back to Him in worship (Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 10:31). But if our work is separated from the presence and word of Jesus, it becomes hollow. The church is not merely a humanitarian organization; we labor to proclaim the Word and reflect the presence of Christ. Otherwise, we risk meeting earthly needs without offering eternal hope.
Worship and Faith: There will be times we don’t feel like worshiping. That’s when faith leads—trusting that the Spirit will align our hearts, redirect our desires, and form us in the likeness of Jesus, even when we don’t “feel” it.
There Is a Time to Be Served: Martha thought she was serving Jesus, but Jesus was there to serve her. There is a time to do for God, and a time to let God do for us. Jesus was not interested in being fed bread—He came to offer the Bread of Life.
When What You Need Isn’t Obvious: Martha believed her need was help from Mary. Jesus gently reveals her deeper need: to stop, listen, and be fed by Him. Often, what we want is not what God wants. We must ask: Are we inviting Jesus to help us do what we want, or are we surrendering to what He wants?
When Jesus Is Present: Jesus visited Martha’s house. She almost missed Him. How often do we miss the Lord’s visitation because of our schedules, routines, or even our service? Jesus promises to meet with His people when they gather—will we be there to sit at His feet?
A Heart Like Mary’s: Mary appears three times in Scripture—and every time, she’s at Jesus’ feet (Luke 10:39; John 11:32; John 12:3). Her devotion is unashamed, whole-hearted, and fragrant. She honors Jesus in a way that moves His heart—and ours. Her actions echo the words of Romans 10:15: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Mary loved the feet of Jesus because she recognized their beauty—they carried the good news to her.
So, where are you? Distracted like Martha or devoted like Mary? Have you been busy doing many things, but missing the one thing that is necessary?
The truth about Jesus is this: He doesn’t despise your work, but He desires your worship more. From that place of worship, your work will be rightly ordered—and your heart rightly filled.
Let us be a church marked by both Word and Work. A people who sit at Jesus’ feet, and rise to serve in His name. A people who choose the better part—and who do not miss the moment of His visitation.
Peace Be With You,
Pastor Bruce
