In this article, we will explore one of the most well-known biblical narratives: the story of Mary and Martha. Found in Luke 10:38-42, this brief passage—just five verses long—contains a wealth of profound truths waiting to be uncovered.
At the time of writing this article, U.S. President Donald Trump has increased tariffs on several countries. This move has sparked panic in global markets, with analysts warning of a potential trade war that could have devastating effects on individuals and businesses worldwide.
Worry appears to be pervasive when I turn on the news. This prompted me to seek God’s remedy to fear and worry, which I found while meditating on the story of Mary and Martha, along with other Scriptures. I am excited to share these remarkable secret insights in this article.
1. Mary And Martha
The biblical narrative of the Mary and Martha story is as follows:
Luke 10:38-42 NLT
38 “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke was very deliberate in describing Mary’s position, citing that she sat at the Lord’s feet. This is a posture of surrender. Whilst Martha on the other hand, had been preparing the dinner for the guests, she became so consumed by the task that even Jesus highlighted that she is worried and upset over so many things.
Martha resembles so many people today. Worried about so many things in life, tariffs, bills, an impending trade war and more. But Jesus commended Mary, she was positioned at the feet of Jesus to be immune to the stress and worry of the big dinner.
2. The Cure to Fear and Worry
What then is the cure to fear and worry? Well, the answer is found plainly in 1 Peter 3:14.
1 Peter 3:14 NLT
“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.“
Worry and fear are dispelled through the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ. Worship is a posture of humility that brings us low—down to the earth—at the feet of Jesus. Much like Mary who sat at Jesus’ feet, she prioritized worship over the overwhelming concerns of preparing a grand dinner, placing her focus solely on Him.
Worry and fear has a tendency to dominate our minds, thus it causes a tendency to exalt the very thing causing us to worry. But Jesus is above all things, including fear and worry, and so worshiping Jesus Christ as Lord shifts the focus on the causes of fear and worry to our Lord Jesus Christ who is greater and above all things.
3. How To Worship
We have determined that worshiping involves a posture that brings us down to the earth. This concept is supported by John’s revelatory depiction of worship in heaven.
Revelation 4:10 NLT
“The twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne.”
The 24 elders fell down and worship, much like Mary who sat down at the feet of Jesus. Furthermore, the elders placed their crowns at the foot of the throne.
The crown symbolizes anything that you have elevated above yourself—this includes worries, fears, achievements, burdens, illnesses, and beyond. Jesus is the Lord of lords, and if anything has taken on a lordship in your life, it must also submit to the Lord of all – Jesus Christ.
4. How Jesus Worshipped
Jesus went to an olive grove called Gethsemane where he prayed. Talking to three of his disciples, he said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.”
Jesus was anguished and distressed by his impending crucifixion and took time to be alone with God.
Matthew 26:39 NLT
“He went on a little farther and bowed down with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! if it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet your will be done, not mine.”
In a time of emotional distress and deep anguish, Jesus showed humility by bringing the his face to the ground as he bowed down to God who is above all. He demonstrated that worry and anxiety is cured by worshiping God. Moreover, he humbled himself before the Lord, and thereafter an angel of the Lord appeared and strengthened him (Luke 22:43).
After prayer God lifted Jesus up in strength to endure his cup of suffering. Luke 22:45 reads, “At last he stood again and returned to the disciples.”
The emboldened words, “at last”, reveal that Jesus had been praying for a very long time that finally he was able to stand again. He had been in deep distress and agony that sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood (Luke 22:43).
Therefore, the act of worship brings strength to stand firm against whatever challenges confront us. It is in worship that our perspective is restored, and we are empowered by the awareness of God’s power over all the circumstances causing us worry.
5. Worship Is Submission
Proverbs 3:34 reads, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humbleness is a stance of submission before God. It also refers to acknowledging our position in the Kingdom of God as servants of Christ, and taking a stance of worship, by bowing down in His presence.
1 Peter 5:6 NLT
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God.”
Mary humbled herself by sitting at the feet of Jesus, knowing that he was filled with the mighty power of God. From Mary’s vantage point, Jesus was above and head both literally and symbolically, as she sat on the ground by his feet.
5.1 Bow to Worship God Only; And Stand Only Against the Enemy
The only time we are supposed to stand, metaphorically, is when dealing with the enemy, the devil.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith.”
Jesus stood firm against the devil when tempted in the wilderness. He demonstrated his strength in faith, as shown in the Scripture above, by using the word of God as an offensive weapon against the wiles of the devil.
We are never to bow to the enemy’s threats, but to stand firm against him and exercise the power and authority we have in Jesus. Satan is eternally beneath us, therefore use the dominion you have in Christ against all the wiles from the enemy.
When the people of Israel were being threatened by the mighty army of Moabites and Ammonites, God encouraged them to stand firm (2 Chronicles 20:17). He assured them of victory provided as they march against the armies, take positions and stand still.
This message from God brought so much relief to the frightened people of Israel that they bowed down face to the ground and worshiped God.
2 Chronicles 20:18 NLT
“Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord.”
Worship God only (Isaiah 26:13); and stand against the enemy. We are eternally victorious against Satan and all his cohorts, all we need to do is to stand firm (1 Corinthians 16:13) and put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Ephesians 6:11 NLT
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
6. Final Remarks
In the midst of uncertainty, turmoil, fear and worry, bow down and worship the LORD just as Jesus did in moments of deep anguish. Surrender all things dominating your mind and lay your head (crown) before the throne of the Lamb.
2 Timothy 1:7 NIV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Worship is your immunity against the world’s woes; Jesus paid the price that freed us from worry when he took up the crown of thorns that pierced his head. This was representative of all the worries and fears that dominate our minds, and Jesus bared it all so that we may sit at his feet and worship.
Resist being like Martha, who exalted the big dinner ahead of Jesus. It left her disorganized, disgruntled and worried. Rather let God be above all else in your life and the strength, joy and peace that comes from being in His presence will safeguard you against all the vicissitudes of life.
John 3:30 NLT
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”
Worship is all about Jesus Christ being exalted, while you, me, everyone and everything else becomes less and less. Dear reader, do not let anyone or anything usurp the position meant only for God, we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:6). And one of the things that dominated his mind was a desire to glorify God and to do His will. Therefore, do not let worry dominate your thoughts and mind (Matthew 6:31-32). Rest in the presence of Christ.
Thou has made us for thyself, and our hearts are restless until it finds rest in Thee.
Saint Augustine
7.1 A Prayer of Worship
In distress take time to pray and worship God. Sit at the feet of the Lamb and cast all your worries on to him. Negate bad news or daunting prospects by deep prayer and worship to your heavenly Father.
Philippians 4:6 NLT
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.”
When Hezekiah received bad news from Isaiah the prophet said that he was going to die from an illness in Isaiah 38:1-7, His immediate response was to pray.
Isaiah 38:2 NLT
“When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.”
Hezekiah humbled himself before God weeping bitterly, and God healed his sickness and added 15 more years to his life.
7.2 A Song Of Worship
The song Here I Am To Worship by Tim Hughes captures the insights brought forward in this article in a beautiful melody. The song contains the following verse in line with worshiping and bowing before the LORD.
Here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that
You’re my God
You’re altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me
You have uncovered deep and great insights. Thank you for sharing such eye-opening wisdom. God bless!