LUKE 10:38-42 – Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
THEME OF THE DAY: IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS. Today’s scripture has been preached countless numbers of times. The familiar account of Martha and Mary has produced not a few books and many Bible studies. And the topic rising to the top in all three is the danger of busyness; of neglecting quality time alone with Jesus sitting under His Word. I get that. It is a timeless lesson we need repeated often in our lives. Busyness ranks extremely high in the things which will produce a dry soul, a lukewarm heart, and a Christianity that looks good on the outside but is like a barren desert inside. Yet, there is something else that is implied in this story. It is something to ponder and evaluate in our lives. Now it would be easy to take away from Mary’s example that we are to discipline ourselves to “learn from Jesus” and that, in addition to avoiding busyness, is critical to healthy Christianity.
However, I want to draw our attention to the context. This text is about relationships foremost, not knowledge. Try this test. How many Bible studies have we attended with God’s people, sermons sat under in the corporate gathering of Christians, and all we took away was knowledge but no deepening relationship with the Lord and those we were with? And remember what the Apostle Paul says about knowledge only – If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). The whole of life, especially the Christian life, is relationships. God created us human beings, not “human doings”, meaning we are wired for relationships. Foremost with Him, and then within our families. Yes, families – both of them; physical and spiritual. We cannot, must not, neglect either or be imbalanced.
So, the contrast in today’s scripture is Martha, too busy to cultivate relationships, and Mary, refusing to neglect relationships. What about us? Are we rushing around in life as human doings, accomplishing much, but woefully lacking in meaningful relationships of sacrifice, sincerity, and devotion with the Lord and our families – physical and spiritual? If we find our lives marked more by tasks, completed projects, and accomplishments than depth of relationships, we are operating outside God’s created design and will for us. The results? We may get a ton of stuff done but will suffer a life marked by stress, anxiety, fatigue and lack peace, rest, and joy in the Lord. Always remember, we are human beings, not human doings. Strive to not only remember this truth but live this truth!
PRAYER: “Father, help me to see the quality of the life You give me is based on relationships not accomplishments.”
QUOTE: “Don’t always be busy doing. The Christian life is foremost being then doing. Who we are should drive what we do.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim