“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)

The Prime Directive The Ministry of the Heart. Luke 10:23-28, 38-42

What does it mean to love?Teacher of the Law

(10:25-37)

Listens to Jesus

Will he act? Acts for Jesus

Will she listen?

Martha (10:38-42)

Parable of Good SamaritanAn Example Story

Story of Mary and MarthaA Pronouncement Story

Textual Problems, v. 42

• ‘one thing is needed’.• ‘few things are needed’.• ‘few things are needed – or only one’.

The Ministry of the Heart

Martha• Labours of this

world.• Active life.

• Life of the flesh.

Mary• Bliss of the world

to come.• Contemplative

life.• Life of the Spirit.

‘I watched my own mother neglect the housekeeping in order to talk to someone or read and I joined my father in feeling embarrassed about the untidy house. I was ashamed about the mess and always surprised when my friends wanted to come home with me. Some have later explained that my mother made them feel welcome and important and they liked that housekeeping wasn’t the first priority … Yet within her own family and within herself this was a conflicted issue. I am sure my mother shared this conflict with Martha.’

‘Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she came to him and asked, “Lord do you not are that my sister has left me alone to do all the work?”’

‘Martha was distracted by her many ministries, so she came to him and asked, “Lord do you not are that my sister has left me alone to minister?”’

The Ministry of the Heart

• Worshipful.• Intimate.• Teachable.