“A woman named Martha welcomed him (Jesus) into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work myself? Tell her then to help me.”
But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted about many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42).
Time with Jesus. Essentially, when Jesus spoke to Martha, he said, “this is what Mary wants so this is what she gets, and no one will be taking it away from her.”
When I read this story, the questions I take away are, “What exactly was this gift? Can I have it too? And what would it look like?
Is it only his words in the Bible? That’s good and more people ought to do that, but is that all? Isn't there some way I can actually spend time with the actual presence of Christ?
You know, I have a list of people that I want to simply spend time with. Not do something with, just BE with. Special ones—family and friends, and those I would like to get to know. And since I’m dreaming I think of people in the past. And then people of the future—generations of children who have yet to arrive on the scene.
I want to sit and talk. Ask questions. Share thoughts. I want to give and receive encouragement. I want to talk about my dreams and hear theirs. And I want to put my arms around them—if they’d let me.
That’s what I wish for when I think of spending time with Jesus. I don’t want just words on a page. I want the real thing, to sit near him, hear his words to me, have him listen to me, to hear that he loves me, to exchange hugs with him. You know, actually BE with Jesus.
Is Jesus saying I could have this and be secure that it would not be taken away? And how do I claim it? Is it really a matter to setting aside my other concerns and focusing on him? That’s not so easy, but it’s not impossible. Could it be… simple?
I guess we could work on it and see. But to be honest, it hasn't seemed all that simple.
This is an interesting topic, Pastor.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but always feel a little empathy for Martha in the story of Mary and Martha. She does sound petty, but she also sounds a little overworked. ....
When I have read or heard this story I have wondered why Jesus didn't also call Martha to his side? Or is it important that we, ourselves, seek out our time with Jesus?
Maybe that is the thing, the desire to be with him that is important... that the hunger for him makes us seekers - vulnerable and meek.
I want to be near him, too.
Great post.
Debbie
Debbie, I know you do.
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting thought. Perhaps he was inviting her to put it all aside to come sit next to him.
I think most people feel empathy for Martha. I have flat out admiration for her. In John 11, after her brother died, after Jesus let her down by not being there when she most needed him, her faith never wavered. In duress, she is the first one to stand and say, "Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
Now that's a powerful woman.