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But the Lord answered her, 'Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.'
These words of Jesus come when He and the disciples had just set down to rest and Mary and Martha are hosting them in their home. What a supreme opportunity to serve Jesus this is. At this home of friends they won’t have to face antagonizing lawyers, Pharisees, or hostile Gentiles, and Martha views it as her service to God. The only problem is that once Jesus and the disciples show up, Mary decides to quit helping prepare the meal. Decidedly frustrated at both Mary for her lack of help and at Jesus for allowing it, Martha just can’t take it any more. She encourages Jesus to do the right thing. She wants Him to rebuke Mary.
Jesus’ response comes with both a tinge of affection and gentile rebuke. He answers with, “Martha, Martha.” This is like using your child’s formal name when comforting them (as opposed to a nickname) and like using their full name when you want their attention. He tells Martha that she’s worried about all the wrong things (the food, the service, the presentation, the lodgings, etc.). Only one thing is necessary.
In reading this we think, “Oh really? What is that one thing?” Preparing a meal for at least 15 people is no small feat. But here Jesus values Mary’s listening to his words and the enjoying of His presence. Honestly, though, isn’t Jesus being a little unfair or at least rude? To our ears it would seem so, but these are the hard truths you speak to people you love.
Hearing those words to spoken to us we know that there will always meals to be prepared. There are houses to be cleaned. There are baths to give. There is homework to be done. There are yards to be cut. There are deadlines to meet. There are mercies to be extended. There are ministries to serve. There are churches to work at. There are communities to be cared for. But before we ever do any of those things, we are to sit at Jesus’ feet.
And you know what? He has overcome every barrier so that we might. He has overcome the gender barrier – doesn’t matter if you are a man or woman, sit at his feet. He has overcome every racial barrier – doesn’t matter if you are Jew or Gentile, black or white, sit at His feet. He has overcome every intellectual barrier – these things are not revealed to the wise and understanding in their own minds, they are revealed to the humble little children that come before God. And His overcome the sin barrier through the cross. Sin doesn’t impede our communion with Him.
But we still have to wonder when adoration is appropriate and when action is appropriate. Jesus’ answer to Martha doesn’t always make sense when we have to choose. But applying it their circumstance helps. Essentially, our actions are appropriate when they are acts of adoration. That is what Martha lost in the flurry of preparing a meal. She wasn’t worshiping by her service. Adoration is appropriate when it is an action. Our worship is an act of the will. It is not some amorphous relationship. It is willfully and actively loving God. It is an effort. That is what Mary got right. If at any time we approach singularly as adoration or action, we lose a full picture of what it is to love God
Gordon Duncan is the pastor/church planter of Sovereign King Church in Garner, NC. He blogs daily at www.jgordonduncan.com.
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This particular passage of scripture -- referring to Mary, Martha, and Jesus -- reminds me of a church that I used to go to. Those who were most valued by the leadership of the congregation were those who were "obsessive do-ers." When I took the spiritual gifts class, I found out that the real purpose of the class was to nudge people into an area within the church to volunteer. I liked to help out when I could, and I did want to serve others within the congregation -- using my gifts. However, there were times when someone would make a comment (directed at me) -- implying that I did not "do anything." This really hurt me because what they had said was not true. I did help. I wanted to help. What had hurt the most, however, was the fact that they valued me less even though I was hungry for God. I desired spiritual growth and formation. I wanted others to grow in their walk with God, too. Unfortunately, this same church leadership cared more about filling in areas for people to help out and serve more than they wanted people to grow.
I realize that all churches need people to serve in order to make it come together. Nonetheless, hearing the word of Christ and learning from Him is even more important. I forgive those in my former church who made me feel bad because I didn't do everything that they wanted me to do. Also, I appreciate all those Marthas who give great amounts of time to the church service. But if we're not taking the time to sit at Jesus' feet, we will burn out and find ourselves part of a volunteer organization rather than an actual church.
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This particular passage of scripture -- referring to Mary, Martha, and Jesus -- reminds me of a church that I used to go to. Those who were most valued by the leadership of the congregation were those who were "obsessive do-ers." When I took the spiritual gifts class, I found out that the real purpose of the class was to nudge people into an area within the church to volunteer. I liked to help out when I could, and I did want to serve others within the congregation -- using my gifts. However, there were times when someone would make a comment (directed at me) -- implying that I did not "do anything." This really hurt me because what they had said was not true. I did help. I wanted to help. What had hurt the most, however, was the fact that they valued me less even though I was hungry for God. I desired spiritual growth and formation. I wanted others to grow in their walk with God, too. Unfortunately, this same church leadership cared more about filling in areas for people to help out and serve more than they wanted people to grow.
I realize that all churches need people to serve in order to make it come together. Nonetheless, hearing the word of Christ and learning from Him is even more important. I forgive those in my former church who made me feel bad because I didn't do everything that they wanted me to do. Also, I appreciate all those Marthas who give great amounts of time to the church service. But if we're not taking the time to sit at Jesus' feet, we will burn out and find ourselves part of a volunteer organization rather than an actual church.
Posted by Holly | Posted at 05/31/2007 10:50 AM