By Olufemi O Ikumapayi (Eagle)
Introduction: Misconceptions About Martha
Martha is often remembered in Scripture as the “busy one” — the woman who rushed to serve while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Many teachings focus solely on her busyness, making it seem as if serving the Lord was her mistake. But this is a misconception. The Bible does not condemn her service; it reveals a deeper truth about priorities, heart posture, and communion with the Lord.
It is important to note: we cannot over-serve God. Serving Him with all our heart and might is commanded in Scripture (Deut. 10:12, Rom. 12:11). The issue is not the amount of service, but the balance between service and sitting to receive from Him.
The book of Ezekiel further reveals God’s pattern and desire for service. The sons of Zadok were called to serve the Lord, but their undergarments were not to sweat — indicating that even in diligent service, it should never be to the point of self-overwhelm or losing the joy of fellowship. This mirrors exactly what happened to Sister Martha.
Prophetic Insight: God desires that our service flows out of His presence, not our own effort alone. Even devoted service without communion can be unfruitful.
The Act of Invitation
The most profound act of Martha was inviting Jesus into her home (Luke 10:38). She could have simply greeted Him on the road and let it pass, or kept the relationship formal at the synagogue like many do today. But she chose to invite Him into her home, a sacred and personal space, showing intimacy, trust, and honor.
Not only did she open her home, but she made provision for everyone with Him — demonstrating care, abundance, and readiness to host divine fellowship. This was not just hospitality; it was a spiritual gesture of love, honor, and relationship.
Prophetic Takeaway: God honors the heart that intentionally makes room for Him. Invitation precedes activation of blessing and revelation.
Reflection: Think about the doors in your life — have you invited the Lord fully into them? Is there a space that remains closed, waiting for His presence?
What It Means to Open Our Home to the Lord
Opening our home to the Lord is more than providing a physical space. It is an act of: – Respect – honoring His presence. – Love – making space because of affection and devotion. – Communion – creating an atmosphere where relationship can grow. – Trust – welcoming Him into the most private areas of our lives.
Scriptural Examples: – Abraham (Genesis 18) – His tent became the place where promises were activated and secrets revealed. – The Emmaus Disciples (Luke 24:13–35) – Their home became the place of revelation when they invited Jesus to stay and sat with Him at the table.
Prophetic Takeaway: Blessings, secrets, and divine strategies are often revealed in the context of intentional invitation and intimacy with the Lord.
Reflection: Ask yourself, does your heart, home, and schedule make room for God to dwell fully? Opening the door requires intentional space and provision.
Where Martha Was Wrong and Lessons We Can Learn
Martha’s mistake was not her service; it was letting busyness, worry, and distraction replace communion. She served with her hands but neglected to sit with her heart. Jesus gently corrected her, saying: > “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41–42)
The Principle of Profitable Service: Jeremiah 23:18,22 warns us that service without listening to God and sitting in His council is unprofitable: > “But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord to see or hear His word? … If they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people with power.”
Lessons for Us: 1. Service without intentional communion and learning from the Lord is incomplete and unprofitable. 2. Opening our homes and hearts must lead to sitting and receiving from the Lord. 3. Balance is key: invitation → service → communion. 4. We cannot over-serve God, but we can misplace service if it overshadows fellowship and listening to Him. 5. Even in diligent service, we should not exhaust ourselves or lose joy, as Ezekiel demonstrates with the sons of Zadok. 6. Listening to God ensures our service carries divine impact and blessing.
Prophetic Insight: True revelation comes to those who prioritize communion with God over activity. Like Mary, sitting at His feet allows one to cut revelation even about future events.
Reflection: Martha’s story reminds us that acts of service must flow from communion with God. Otherwise, good deeds may lack spiritual fruit, regardless of how much effort we put in.
A Quick Touch on Mary: Though we do not focus on Mary here, John 12 shows the advantage of sitting and learning. Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with perfume, an act that pointed to His coming death. How did she know? Sitting, listening, and being in close fellowship with Him allowed her to cut revelation, demonstrating the benefit of communion beyond service.
Personal Testimony
During a recent Bible study, as I sat at the table with a friend to teach, revelation flowed unexpectedly. Just as in the story of the Emmaus disciples, sitting at the table became a sacred space where the Lord revealed truth. This experience confirmed that invitation + service + communion = revelation and blessing, and that service without sitting and learning from Him remains incomplete.
Prophetic Takeaway: God’s Word is alive and active. Even the teacher can receive new insights when fully engaged with His presence.
Reflection: Take time to sit with the Lord. Allow His presence to guide your service, deepen your understanding, and activate hidden blessings.
Conclusion
Martha teaches us a profound spiritual principle: opening the door to the Lord unlocks blessing, revelation, and fellowship. Serving Him is holy, but sitting with Him is essential. As we open our homes, hearts, and lives to Jesus, we position ourselves to receive promises, uncover secrets, and experience His presence in transformative ways.
Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Core Truth: Invitation comes first. Service flows from it. Communion brings revelation and blessing. Martha’s life demonstrates that true spiritual depth comes when we invite, serve, and then commune with the Lord fully, because service without sitting and learning from Him is unprofitable, as Jeremiah teaches, even though there is no such thing as over-serving God.
Prophetic Call: Open your heart today. Invite God into your spaces. Serve with purpose, but sit to receive. Revelation and blessing await those who align service with communion.