Why do you go to church? Most in our day think that if one goes to church, they go to show God how much they love him. They go to serve him. They go to give him glory. They go to serve Jesus.
Luke 10:40-41 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.â€
Others understand that they go to church to be served. They go to sit and listen to Jesus. They go to hear him forgive their sins. They go to eat and drink the eternal life he has stored up in bread and wine. They go to be served by Jesus.
Luke 10:39-42 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching…One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."
Martha’s work of showing hospitality was a good and holy work. Worshipping Jesus is a good and holy work. Mary listening to Jesus was the good portion. Having Jesus serve you in Word and Supper is the good portion. Your worship is good but not necessary. God lives without it. Listening to Jesus is is good and necessary. You die without it.
As Luther said, Jesus through this story teaches us, “This is the secret, just to hear Me. This alone does it.â€
