DAY #110: Luke 10:38-11:13

In the village of Bethany, located about two miles outside of Jerusalem, there were two sisters named Martha and Mary. They had a brother named Lazarus (whom Jesus later raised from the dead).


Jesus, His twelve disciples with him, needed to have their feet washed, to be made comfortable, and to have a meal prepared for them. A respectable hostess in the ancient world would extend all of these courtesies to his or her guests. The impression here, however, is that Martha was overdoing it. She wanted something extra special for the Master, but she let herself get to the point where she was worrying, overworked, and unable to enjoy these guests.

In attempting to serve Jesus, she did not understand or attend to Jesus’ reason for being there. Mary, however, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. She was taking advantage of the opportunity to hear Jesus. Martha, for her part, wanted to give her guests the royal treatment—and she should not be criticized for that. However, she allowed her worry to turn to irritation. She went to Jesus and asked him to tell Mary to get up and get to work. There is a touch of reproach in her words.

Jesus did not blame Martha for being concerned about preparing the meal, nor did he scold her for attempting to make him and his disciples welcome. But he did want her to understand that because she was so upset, she was not making time for what was most important, shown in Mary’s attitude. Jesus wanted Martha to rearrange her priorities.


In chapter 11, once again, we see Jesus had been out praying. Luke has presented several instances where Jesus was praying, making it clear that prayer was a regular part of his life. Something about Jesus’ prayer life prompted one of his disciples to approach him as he finished. He wanted Jesus to teach them to pray, just as John taught his disciples. It was common for religious leaders to teach their followers how to pray. To be able to pray as their Master prayed would give them assurance of expressing themselves correctly to God.

The prayer Jesus taught his disciples was not a formulaic prayer; rather, it was a “how to” prayer. Notice the order in this prayer. First Jesus praised God; then he made his requests. The first person plural pronouns indicate that the believers could pray this prayer corporately. The pattern of praise, intercession, and request helps believers understand the nature and purpose of their personal prayers in their relationship with their Father. Because Jesus taught it to his followers, it is a prayer pattern for believers today as well.

Jesus follows up these instructions with a parable. This parable points out, with a touch of humor, that God’s people must persist in their prayers, and that God is always ready to give. The setting is midnight. A journeying friend has arrived, presumably unexpected. Social custom dictates providing food, but the bread is gone and the person has nothing for him to eat. The person knows that another friend has some bread, so he goes to him and asks to borrow three loaves of bread.


The friend would not be happy to be interrupted at this late hour, having already gone to bed. Jesus explained that although the friend might not get up for the sake of the friendship, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up. Because of the persistence of the person knocking, the request will be answered.

Boldness in prayer overcomes the praying person’s apathy, not God’s perceived insensitivity. To practice persistence changes the hearts and minds of those praying, and it helps them understand and express the intensity of their need. Persistence in prayer helps them recognize God’s work. By praying persistently, believers are not trying to get a reluctant God to answer their prayers; instead, they are showing that they are very serious about their request.



SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

There is so much today that stands out. Priorities - what's most important. Remembering my first love, my highest love is to be reserved for our Lord. Nothing comes before Him. First things first. This was the condemnation for the church in Ephesus;

"I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
Revelation 2:2-5 (NIV)


Second, persistence in my prayers. We are such a fast food generation. We want what we want and we want it now. We don't know much about staying power, finishing well, staying the course.
God is saying to me stay at it. Keep persevering. Keep on keeping on in your prayers for the lost, in your prayers for people, in your prayers for your wife and kids, in your prayers for the church, in your prayers for leaders, in your prayers for the world.

"But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!"
Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)