Pentecost Week Sixteen - Day One - Where Is Love Cultivated

We get to ease into this week.  After the drama on the road to Jerricho I welcome the change of pace.
Luke is a masterful writer. With each chapter we can stop and reflect and ask – what is he up too, what is he doing in this part of the story.

Last week, the parable of the Good Samaritan revealed what a compassionate heart looks like in action. Then, Luke immediately takes us from the public road to a private home in Bethany.

This transition is deliberate. The Samaritan’s story teaches us about love in action, while Mary and Martha’s story show us where this love is cultivated—at the feet of Christ.

If you remember, I mentioned last week about Nicodemus going to the source – Now we get to see Mary and Martha do the same.
 

New Testament: Luke 10:38
Old Testament: Psalm 84:1-2 

Historical Context
Hospitality in the Jewish culture of the first century was not just a matter of etiquette—it was a sacred act. Rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures (Genesis 18:1-8, for example, where Abraham hosts heavenly visitors), welcoming others into one’s home was seen as honoring God Himself.

Bethany, the setting for this story, was a small village just two miles from Jerusalem, near the Mount of Olives. It was a place of refuge for Jesus during His ministry. Martha, Mary, and their brother Lazarus were likely well-known to Jesus, as this family is mentioned multiple times in the Gospels (John 11:1-5; John 12:1-3).

In this context, Martha’s concern for offering excellent hospitality wasn’t just cultural—it was deeply personal. Hosting Jesus and His followers would have been an honor of the highest order, and Martha’s commitment reflected her devotion. Then, there is Mary…
Reflection

The story this week will have an interesting pace.  We will almost feel Martha scurrying around while Mary is all chill and laid back.  What we need to think about as the reader of Luke is how does he the Samaritan’s act of compassion merge with Mary and Martha’s private moment with Jesus?  

The Samaritan’s outward actions came from an inner love. Similarly, Mary’s devotion at Jesus’ feet in a few days - both reflect a heart aligned with Him.

Both stories remind us that discipleship requires both action and intimacy with Christ.

That's it for today - more here to reflect on than it may seem.

Prayer
Father, Thank You for showing us the balance between public action and private devotion.
Teach us to cultivate a heart of compassion by daily sitting at Your feet.
May our love for others flow from the time we spend with You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.