CAREFUL AND TROUBLED

 

Thursday, February 12, 2026

 

CAREFUL AND TROUBLED

 

Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 

Luke 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 

 

          If I were to begin a sermon with these words, the congregation would likely be ready to praise Mary and think ill of Martha, but I hasten to explain that “acts of service” is one of the love languages. Martha was a servant. It was how she expressed love. Mary spoke “quality time.” Both were expressing love.

 

          The difference is expressed by Jesus in two words. Martha was “careful,” merimnao which means to be anxious. Earlier, in verse 40, Jesus used the word “cumbered” or perispao which literally means to drag all around or to be distracted. Careful and troubled. —The one word indicates inward anxiety, the other outward bustle. Mary on the other hand, chose “the good part.”

 

          Martha’s manner of expressing love was not wrong but her spirit was not right, and who could blame her for she had an additional 13 guests for dinner! Her focus was on the work and not the worship.

 

          Two old hymns stand facing each other proclaiming what seems to be opposing ideas. The one is “Work, for the night is coming,” and the other is “Take time to be holy.”

 

Lord, as we work, let our work spring from a heart of worship. AMEN