At Home With Martha and Mary (10:38-42).
As Luke is building up to the eventual giving of the Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4) we have seen how He has prepared for ‘Father' (Luke 10:21-22; Luke 11:11-13), and ‘Hallowed be your name, your Kingly Rule come' (Luke 9:52 to Luke 10:20). He has also given an example of a man who had forgiven the one who had trespassed against him. We now have the first of two passages which cover, ‘give us today tomorrow's bread'. In this first passage Jesus is provided with His daily bread by Martha, but He speaks also of how much more important it is for someone to obtain Tomorrow's bread, the bread of the Kingly Rule of God, through His words, which was what Mary did. ‘Mary has chosen the better part which shall not be taken away from her'.
There is a further contrast here which connects with Luke 10:27. Martha exemplifies loving one's neighbour, but Mary exemplifies one who loves her Lord with heart, soul, mind and strength. Both are required and must not compete with each other.
It is noteworthy that Jesus' name is not mentioned in this passage, when in view of the friendly atmosphere we might have expected it, reference being made to Him continually as ‘the Lord'. But He is always ‘the Lord' to Martha and Mary. Compare John 11:3; John 11:21; John 11:27; John 11:32; John 11:39. This distinctive feature may suggest that Luke obtained these details from Martha and Mary and has carefully recorded it as it was told to him.
The placing of this account, emphasising spiritual food in contrast with literal food, and following the parable of the Good Samaritan, must be seen as bringing out that the Good Samaritan brought more than just food and comfort to the wounded man, he brought light and salvation.
Analysis.
a As they went on their way, He entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received Him (Luke 10:38).
b She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet, and heard His word (Luke 10:39).
c But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to Him, and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me” (Luke 10:40).
b But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41).
a “But one thing is needful, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).
We note that in ‘a' Martha received Him, and in the parallel Mary receives His word into her heart. In ‘b' Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and in the parallel Martha is anxious and troubled about many things. And central in ‘c' is that Martha is serving the meal, and seeks that her sister will cease come and assist her and cease sitting at the feet of Jesus, thus putting physical bread before spiritual bread.